Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Witbank, South Africa, understanding the UV Index is essential for protecting your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. With its Cwb climate, Witbank experiences significant UV exposure, particularly during midday hours, making awareness of UV levels critical for sunburn prevention and overall skin health. The UV Index can reach as high as 6 around noon, indicating a heightened risk for skin damage. By staying informed about daily UV levels, residents can take proactive measures to enjoy the sun safely and maintain their skin's vitality.
The UV Index today showcased a notable increase from the early morning hours, starting at a gentle 1 at 07:00 and 08:00. As the sun rose higher in the sky, the index climbed steadily, reaching a significant 6 by 12:00, indicating a peak in UV radiation and the need for sun protection. The afternoon saw a slight decline, with values dropping to 4 at 14:00 and falling further to 2 by 15:00. As the day wound down, the UV index returned to a safer range, ending the day at 0 by 19:00. It’s crucial to stay informed and safeguard your skin during those high UV hours!
| 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 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 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 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 |
| Witbank | 16 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 16 |
| Soweto UVI | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 |