Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Pongola, South Africa, awareness of the UV Index is crucial to safeguarding your skin from the sun's harmful rays. Understanding UV levels not only helps in preventing sunburn but also plays a vital role in maintaining long-term skin health. With a Cfa climate, Pongola experiences varying UV exposure throughout the day, peaking between 10 AM and 2 PM with indices reaching up to 5. Being equipped with this knowledge empowers residents and visitors alike to take necessary precautions against potential skin damage, ensuring enjoyable outdoor experiences without compromising health.
The UV Index for the day showcases a clear peak during the midday hours, rising from a low of 1 at 07:00 and 08:00. By 09:00, it reaches 2, but the real intensity hits at 10:00, soaring to 4. The maximum exposure occurs around 11:00 and 12:00, both maintaining a 5 on the scale, urging sun-seekers to take precautions. As the afternoon progresses, the index gently declines to 4 at 13:00, then dips further to 3 by 14:00. By the time the clock strikes 15:00, it drops to 2, and the evening sets in with a comfortable 1 at 16:00. After 17:00, the UV Index drops to 0, signaling a safe end to sun-related activities.
| 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 | 5 | 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 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV Index levels exhibit significant seasonal variations, with January and February marking the peak of extreme exposure at 15 and 14 respectively, necessitating a burn time of just 10 minutes. The risk remains pronounced in March with an index of 12, before tapering slightly in April at 9, though it remains in the very high category. May sees a decline to high (UV Index 7), transitioning to moderate levels in June and July (UV Index 5), which allows for longer burn times of 30 minutes. However, exposure risk surges again in August (UV Index 8) and September (UV Index 10), both categorized as very high. The trend of extreme UV exposure returns in October and November (UV Index 12 and 13), before ending the year with December at 14. Given this data, it is critical for visitors and residents to take precautions, especially during the high-risk months of January to March and October to November, by utilizing sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and limiting sun exposure during peak hours.
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 |
| Pongola | 15 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 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 |