Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Izingolweni, South Africa, awareness of the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin health. Understanding UV levels can help prevent sunburn and reduce the risk of long-term skin damage, making it vital for outdoor activities. With a Cfa climate that offers warm temperatures, residents face varying UV exposure risks throughout the day. Notably, during peak hours around 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, the UV Index climbs to 4, indicating a moderate risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Stay informed and protect your skin while enjoying the beauty of Izingolweni!
Throughout the day, the UV Index exhibits a clear pattern of intensity. Starting off low in the morning, it registers a mild 1 at 07:00 and 08:00, indicating minimal risk for sun exposure. As the sun climbs higher, the index gradually increases, peaking at 4 between 11:00 and 13:00, where caution is advised for prolonged outdoor activities. After this peak, the index begins to taper off, dropping back to 1 by 15:00 and reaching 0 by 17:00, signaling the end of the day’s sun exposure concerns. Overall, it's a day that calls for sun safety measures during midday, but becomes safer as the evening approaches.
| 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 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 13:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 14:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 16:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV Index levels exhibit significant fluctuations, particularly peaking in the extreme range during the winter and early spring months. January and February both register an extreme UV Index of 14, indicating a burn time of just 10 minutes. As we transition into spring, March retains this high level with an Index of 12, while April drops to a very high 9 with a burn time of 15 minutes. May marks a reduction as the Index decreases to 6 (high) and June further drops to 4 (moderate), indicating safer sun exposure conditions. However, the UV risks spike again in August and return to higher levels in September and October, with an Index of 10 (very high) and 11 (extreme), respectively. The year's intensity culminates in the late fall and winter, as November and December exhibit UV indices at 13 and 15 (both extreme), necessitating swift protective measures. Residents and visitors are strongly advised to remain vigilant in high-risk months from January through April and October through December, ensuring adequate sun protection such as using high-SPF sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and limiting sun exposure to recommended burn times.
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 |
| Izingolweni | 14 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 |
| 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 |
| 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 |