Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Whittlesea, South Africa, is crucial for protecting your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. With the potential for sunburn and long-term skin damage, knowing the UV levels can help you make informed decisions about outdoor activities. Whittlesea’s Cfb climate offers mild temperatures, but during peak hours, the UV index can reach levels 3 to 4, indicating a moderate risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Stay vigilant and safeguard your skin health by checking the UV Index regularly!
The UV Index throughout the day presents a notable peak from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, where it reaches a maximum of 4, indicating a moderate level of UV radiation. Starting off the morning at 7:00 AM with a UV Index of 0, it gradually rises to 1 by 8:00 AM, and hits 2 by 9:00 AM. As the sun climbs higher, the intensity increases, peaking at 4 by 12:00 PM and remaining steady until 1:00 PM. After this peak, the UV levels begin to decline, dropping back to 3 at 2:00 PM, then gradually tapering off to 1 by 4:00 PM and returning to 0 by 6:00 PM. It's a day that serves as a reminder to stay protected during midday hours when UV exposure is at its highest.
Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
---|---|---|---|
07:00 | 0 | 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 | 4 | 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, the UV Index indicates significant fluctuations in sun exposure risk. The highest risk months are January, February, March, October, November, and December, all categorized as extreme, with a UV Index of 15 and a burn time of just 10 minutes. The transition to spring sees a slight decrease in risk in April (UV Index 9, very high exposure category) and May (UV Index 6, high exposure). As summer settles in, the UV Index drops to moderate levels in June and July (UV Index 4, burn time 30 minutes), before rising again in August and September with exposures categorized as high and very high. It is crucial for visitors and residents to take precautions during extreme months by wearing protective clothing, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, and seeking shade, especially during peak sun hours, to minimize the risk of skin damage.
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 |
Whittlesea | 15 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 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 |