Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents of White River, South Africa. This awareness helps in sunburn prevention and promotes long-term skin health, especially given the region's Cwa climate, known for its warm summers and varying UV exposure. With midday UV levels peaking at 6, it’s important to be mindful of sun protection during those hours to mitigate risks associated with excessive sun exposure. By keeping track of the UV Index, you can enjoy the outdoors while safeguarding your skin against harmful rays.
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins its ascent, peaking between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM at a robust 6. Early hours, without much intensity, see UV levels of 1 at 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM. By 9:00 AM, activity picks up, reaching 3, and continues to climb until it hits 4 by 10:00 AM. The midday sun really asserts its presence, maintaining a strong 6 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, which is a critical time for sun safety awareness. As the afternoon progresses, the index gradually declines, falling to 2 by 3:00 PM, and later diminishing to a mere 0 by 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM. It's a day of notable UV fluctuation, highlighting the importance of protection during the peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 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 |
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 |