UV Index in Matatiele, South Africa

Last updated: June 2, 2025

Understanding the UV Index is essential for residents and visitors in Matatiele, South Africa, as it plays a pivotal role in sunburn prevention and maintaining overall skin health. With Matatiele's Cwb climate—characterized by mild summers and cool winters—it's important to be aware of the UV levels, which can peak at 5 around midday, indicating a moderate risk for harm from unprotected sun exposure. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, you can better protect yourself and your loved ones from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, ensuring your outdoor activities remain enjoyable and safe.

Hourly UV Index in Matatiele

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.

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	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

Monthly UV Index Trends in Matatiele

Throughout the year, the UV Index experiences significant fluctuations, with January and December reaching the highest levels at 16, categorizing exposure as extreme and resulting in a rapid burn time of just 10 minutes. The high-risk months for UV exposure are notably February, March, September, October, and November, all with extreme categories and a quick burn time of 10 minutes. In contrast, April sees a drop to an index of 10 (very high) with a slightly longer burn time of 15 minutes. As spring progresses into summer, the risks decrease with June and July maintaining a moderate index of 5, allowing a more tolerable burn time of 30 minutes. However, residents and visitors should remain vigilant, especially during high-risk months, by seeking shade, applying sunscreen, and wearing protective clothing to mitigate the risks of UV exposure.

Monthly Maximum UV Index for Matatiele, South Africa

The monthly maximum UV Index (UVI) represents the highest UV radiation level recorded each month in Matatiele. 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 Matatiele, 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 Matatiele UV Index with Other South Africa Cities

The table above highlights how UV exposure in Matatiele 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.

Matatiele'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
Matatiele	16	15	13	10	6	5	5	8	11	12	14	16
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