Last updated: June 2, 2025
Stilfontein, South Africa, is blessed with a unique climate, but it also comes with its own set of UV exposure risks that residents and visitors alike need to stay informed about. Understanding the UV Index is crucial for sunburn prevention and maintaining long-term skin health. With UV levels peaking between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, reaching a maximum of 5, it's essential to arm yourself with knowledge about sun safety—especially during the warmer months. By staying aware of the UV Index, you can enjoy the beautiful sun while protecting your skin from its harmful effects.
Starting your day early has its perks, as the UV Index remains quite low—hovering between 1 and 2 from 07:00 to 09:00. However, as the sun rises higher, expect a noticeable increase in UV exposure. By 11:00, the index peaks at a robust 5, indicating a need for protection, especially around midday when it stays elevated at 5 until 13:00. Post-noon, the index begins to taper off, dropping back to 4 by 14:00 and down to 1 as evening approaches from 16:00 onward, where it finally settles at 0 by 18:00. To enjoy your day safely, consider applying sunscreen during the peak 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 | 5 | moderate | 30 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 |
Seasonal UV changes indicate that the highest risk months occur from January to April, consistently presenting an extreme UV Index of 16 to 13 and a rapid burn time of just 10 minutes. This high exposure continues through September and November, dropping slightly in May and June. May offers a more moderate risk with a high UV Index of 7 and a burn time of 25 minutes, followed by July, which returns to a high level, but with a burn time of 25 minutes. During August, while still high at 8, the burn time decreases to 15 minutes. As winter approaches again, October to December sees another spike in danger. Visitors and residents should take precautions during these high-risk months by applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade, especially during peak sunlight hours.
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 |
Stilfontein | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
Soweto UVI | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 |