Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Qumbu, South Africa, is essential for safeguarding your skin and overall health. With its Cfb climate, residents and visitors alike face specific UV exposure risks, especially during the sunniest parts of the day. Being aware of UV levels helps prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage, allowing you to enjoy outdoor activities while protecting yourself. On a typical day, Qumbu's UV Index can peak at 5 around noon, indicating a moderate risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Stay informed and take the necessary precautions to keep your skin safe under the African sun!
The UV Index throughout the day follows a distinct pattern, with the intensity peaking at 12:00 PM when it reaches a noteworthy level of 5. Morning hours start off mild, with values of 1 at 07:00 and 08:00, gradually escalating to 2 by 09:00, then climbing to 4 at 11:00. Post-noon, the index slightly decreases, falling to 4 again at 13:00, before tapering off to 2 by 15:00. As the day winds down, the levels drop significantly, plunging to 0 by 19:00. This highlights the importance of sun protection during the midday hours when UV radiation is at its strongest.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 13:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 14:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 16:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV index levels fluctuate significantly, with the highest levels occurring in the winter months of January, February, and March, where the UV index reaches extremes of 15, 14, and 12, respectively, resulting in a burn time of just 10 minutes. As we transition into the spring, April sees a decrease to a very high index of 9, with a burn time extended to 15 minutes. May brings a high index of 6 (25 minutes burn time) and June and July remain moderate with indices of 4 and 5 respectively. August ramps back up to a high of 7, followed by September with a very high index of 10. As the year closes, October and November return to extreme levels of 12 and 13, with December matching January at a UV index of 15. Given this data, visitors and residents should be particularly cautious during January, February, March, and October to December, as these months present the highest risk for UV exposure. It is advised to seek shade, wear protective clothing, and apply sunscreen frequently during these high-risk months to mitigate the dangers of UV radiation.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Town UVI | 14 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 14 |
| Durban UVI | 14 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 |
| Qumbu | 15 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 15 |
| Johannesburg UVI | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| Pretoria UVI | 16 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 16 |
| Soweto UVI | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 |