Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Ermelo, South Africa is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health. The UV Index informs residents about the level of ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth's surface at different times of the day, helping to prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage. With a climate characterized by moderate rainfall and cool temperatures, Ermelo still experiences significant UV exposure, particularly during peak hours from 10 AM to 2 PM, when indices can soar to 8. Being aware of these UV levels empowers you to take the necessary precautions, such as applying sunscreen or wearing protective clothing, ensuring you enjoy the sunny days without compromising your skin health.
The UV Index throughout the day reveals a sharp increase in intensity, peaking around 12:00 PM, where it reaches an impressive 8. Early morning hours start softly with a maximum of 1 at 07:00, gradually climbing to 3 by 09:00 and hitting 6 at 10:00. 11:00 marks a significant rise to 7, before hitting the day’s zenith at 12:00. As the afternoon progresses, we see a decline, dropping to 5 by 14:00 and diminishing further to 3 by 15:00. The UV Index then falls sharply in the late afternoon and evening, settling back down to 1 by 17:00 and ultimately reaching 0 as night takes over. It’s crucial to stay safe under the sun during those peak hours, particularly between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 14:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 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 |
The UV Index demonstrates significant seasonal changes, with the highest levels occurring in the winter months of January and December, where the UV Index reaches 16 and is classified as extreme, resulting in a burn time of only 10 minutes. The spring months of March and April also see high UV levels, transitioning from extreme (UV Index of 13) to very high (UV Index of 10). As summer approaches, the UV Index drops slightly to 6 in June and July, categorized as high, allowing for longer burn times of 25 minutes. However, in August, the level rises again to 9 and shifts back to very high, and September returns to an extreme level at 11. The trend continues into October and November, both marked by an extreme UV Index of 13 and 14, respectively. Residents and visitors should take precautions during the high-risk months, especially from January to April and later in September to November, by wearing appropriate sun protection, seeking shade, and limiting sun exposure to reduce the risk of skin damage.
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 |
| Soweto UVI | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| Ermelo | 16 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 16 |