Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents of Kriel, South Africa, where the climate can lead to significant sun exposure. Awareness of UV levels helps in preventing sunburn and promoting long-term skin health, empowering individuals to protect themselves during peak sun hours. Kriel's Cwb climate typically showcases fluctuating UV readings, peaking at 6 between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, highlighting the importance of sun safety measures to mitigate risks associated with high UV exposure. Stay informed and take charge of your skin’s health with this essential guide to the UV Index in Kriel!
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, UV Index levels experience significant fluctuations, with January to April marked by extreme exposure (UV Index 16-11) where a burn can occur in just 10 minutes. This trend continues with a brief relief during May and June, where the UV Index drops to very high and high levels (8 and 6, respectively), allowing for slightly longer safe exposure times of 15 to 25 minutes. However, September through November sees a return to extreme levels, with burn times again reverting to just 10 minutes. For residents and visitors, it is crucial to remain vigilant during the high-risk months of January to April and September to November, ensuring proper sun protection measures such as wearing sunscreen, hats, and protective clothing to mitigate the risks associated with high UV exposure.
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 |
Kriel | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
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 |