UV Index in Brakpan, South Africa

Last updated: July 2, 2025

In Brakpan, South Africa, being aware of the UV Index is essential for safeguarding your skin and overall health. The UV Index serves as a vital tool, alerting residents to the sun's intensity and helping to prevent sunburns and long-term skin damage. With a Cwb climate, Brakpan experiences significant UV exposure, particularly during peak hours from 10 AM to 2 PM, when levels can soar to 6. Understanding these UV levels empowers you to take necessary precautions, ensuring that outdoor activities remain enjoyable while minimizing risks to your skin health.

Hourly UV Index in Brakpan

The UV Index throughout the day presents an interesting fluctuation, starting off quite low with a maximum of 1 at both 07:00 and 08:00. As the sun rises higher, the intensity increases sharply, peaking at 6 from 11:00 to 13:00. This is the critical time to protect your skin, as a UV Index of 6 indicates a moderate risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. The afternoon sees a gradual decline, with numbers dropping back to 2 by 15:00 and returning to 1 by 16:00 and 17:00. Finally, as the day comes to a close, the UV Index falls to 0 by 18:00 and remains there through the evening, reminding us that while the sun's rays can be strong during the day, they also retreat as the sun sets.

Average solar exposure data for the current time of the year. Actual values may vary and depend on many factors, such as cloud cover, vegetation cover, surface type, etc.
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	4	moderate	30 min
11:00	6	high	25 min
12:00	6	high	25 min
13:00	6	high	25 min
14:00	4	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

Monthly UV Index Trends in Brakpan

Throughout the year, UV Index values fluctuate significantly, with the highest risk typically spanning December to March and again in September to November when the index reaches extreme levels. January and February show a consistent UV Index of 15, while March experiences a slight decline to 13. Residents and visitors should exercise extreme caution during these months, limiting sun exposure to no more than 10 minutes to prevent skin damage. As spring approaches, the UV Index decreases, with May and June showing values of 7 and 6, respectively, allowing for longer safe exposure of 25 minutes. However, as August arrives, the index spikes again to 9, necessitating caution with a burn time of 15 minutes. Overall, it is crucial to stay informed and protected against harmful UV rays, especially during the high-risk months, by wearing adequate sunscreen, protective clothing, and sunglasses.

Monthly Maximum UV Index for Brakpan, South Africa

The monthly maximum UV Index (UVI) represents the highest UV radiation level recorded each month in Brakpan. It measures the strength of ultraviolet radiation from the sun and helps assess the risk of sunburn and UV-related health issues.

Data source: Statistical UV Index data for Brakpan, based on information from the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

UV Risk Categories

Extreme (11+): Avoid the sun, stay in shade.
Very High (8-10): Limit sun exposure.
High (6-7): Use SPF 30+ and protective clothing.
Moderate (3-5): Midday shade recommended.
Low (0-2): No protection needed.

Compare Brakpan UV Index with Other South Africa Cities

The table above highlights how UV exposure in Brakpan compares to other major locations across South Africa. This comparison helps travelers and residents better understand regional sun intensity and plan outdoor activities with sun safety in mind.

Brakpan's solar exposure compared to other cities in South Africa. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information.
	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
Johannesburg UVI	15	15	13	10	7	6	6	8	11	12	14	16
Brakpan	15	15	13	10	7	6	6	9	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