Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents of White River, South Africa, where the sun shines brightly under a temperate climate. Awareness of UV levels is vital not only to prevent sunburn but also to protect your skin health in the long run. In White River, the UV Index can peak at a significant 8 around midday, indicating a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. With such exposure risks, especially in the summer months, it's essential to stay informed and take protective measures to enjoy the sunny days safely.
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 experiences significant fluctuations throughout the year, with notably high-risk months for sun exposure. From January to March, the UV Index remains extremely high, peaking at 16 in January, which means burn times can be as short as 10 minutes. With April and May, the levels drop slightly but remain in the very high exposure category, with burn times extending to 15 minutes. The UV Index continues to decline in June and July to a high level of 6, allowing for longer exposure times of 25 minutes. However, as the year progresses, August sees a resurgence to a very high index of 8, followed by September and October, which return to extreme levels at 11 and 13, respectively. November and December mirror the early months of the year, with a consistent extreme index, underscoring the need for caution. It is advisable for both residents and visitors to take proactive measures, such as wearing protective clothing and applying sunscreen, particularly during these high-risk months from January to March and again in September and October. Always be mindful of the UV Index to ensure safe sun exposure throughout the year.
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 |
| White River | 16 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 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 |