Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in eMbalenhle, South Africa, is crucial for protecting your skin and maintaining overall health. With the region's Cwb climate influencing UV exposure, daily awareness can help prevent sunburn and reduce the risk of long-term skin damage. The UV Index varies throughout the day, peaking at 6 during midday, which poses significant risks for unprotected skin. By staying informed about the UV levels, residents can take proactive measures to enjoy the sun safely while safeguarding their 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, the UV Index indicates significant seasonal variations, with the highest values occurring from January to April, where it reaches an extreme level of 16 in January and December, with a burn time of just 10 minutes. February and March also maintain an extreme exposure category (UV Index 15 and 13 respectively), necessitating cautious sun protection measures. April sees a slight decrease to a UV Index of 11, still categorized as extreme. As the warmer months approach, the UV Index relaxes to 7 in May and 6 in June and July, classified as high, allowing for longer burn times of 25 minutes. However, August brings a spike back to a very high UV Index of 9, with a shorter burn time of 15 minutes. From September to November, we again encounter extreme UV levels, with indices hovering around 11 to 14 and consistent burn risks of 10 minutes. Visitors and residents are advised to exercise heightened sun safety measures, particularly during the high-risk months of January through April, and again in September through November, to prevent sunburn and skin damage. Regular application of broad-spectrum sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak sun hours are essential practices.
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 |
| Pretoria UVI | 16 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 16 |
| eMbalenhle | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 16 |
| Soweto UVI | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 |