Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Tembisa, South Africa, staying informed about the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health. Understanding UV levels helps you take preventive measures against sunburn and long-term skin damage, particularly during the most intense hours of sunlight. Given Tembisa's Cwa climate, which features warm summers and relatively mild winters, residents face an increased risk of high UV exposure, especially during peak hours when the UV Index can reach levels of 6. By monitoring the UV Index daily, you can enjoy the sunshine safely and maintain your skin’s health.
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.
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 |
Throughout the year, UV exposure varies significantly, with extreme UV Index levels observed from January to March and again in September to November. Notably, January and December each reach a peak UV Index of 16, indicating a very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure, with a burn time of just 10 minutes. The transition months of April and August present very high exposure conditions, while May to July see a shift to high categories, allowing slightly longer burn times of 25 minutes. As the sun’s intensity increases, it is crucial for both visitors and residents to take protective measures, especially during the high-risk months of January, February, March, September, October, and November. Umbrellas, sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak hours are highly recommended to ensure safety against the harmful effects 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 |
Johannesburg UVI | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
Tembisa | 16 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 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 |