UV Index in Barkly West, South Africa

Last updated: May 3, 2025

Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents of Barkly West, South Africa, where the climate leans towards a semi-arid (BSh) zone, leading to prolonged sun exposure. Awareness of UV levels is essential for preventing sunburn and maintaining long-term skin health, especially during peak hours when the index reaches high levels, such as 12:00 PM with a UV reading of 7. With daily variations in UV exposure, recognizing these risks can help you enjoy the sun safely while protecting your skin from harmful effects. Stay informed and safeguard your health in the sunny days ahead!

Hourly UV Index in Barkly West

The UV Index data for the day reveals a notable peak around noon, reaching a maximum of 7, indicating a high level of sun exposure. The morning begins with a mild index, starting at 1 at 07:00 and 08:00. By 09:00, it rises to 2, slowly climbing to 4 by 10:00. The intensity escalates significantly by 11:00 and hits its zenith at 12:00. After that, the UV levels gradually decline, dropping to 6 at 13:00 and 5 at 14:00, before falling to 3 by 15:00. As the evening approaches, the UV Index decreases rapidly, returning to 1 by 16:00 and reaching 0 by 18:00, signaling an end to the sun's harmful rays for the day. Remember to stay protected during those peak hours!

Average solar exposure data for the current time of the year. Actual values may vary and depend on many factors, such as cloud cover, vegetation cover, surface type, etc.
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	7	high	25 min
13:00	6	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

Monthly UV Index Trends in Barkly West

Throughout the year, UV exposure varies significantly, with extreme levels dominating the high-risk months of January, February, March, September, October, November, and December, all displaying UV Index values of 13 or higher and a burn time of just 10 minutes. April sees a slight decline to a very high UV Index of 10 and a burn time of 15 minutes, while May and June lower the risk with UV Index values of 7 and 5 respectively, allowing for 25 to 30 minutes of safe sun exposure. As summer progresses into July, the UV Index remains moderate but increases again in August to 8. To protect yourself during high UV periods, it’s crucial for visitors and residents to seek shade, wear protective clothing, and apply sunscreen regularly, especially during peak hours.

Monthly Maximum UV Index for Barkly West, South Africa

The monthly maximum UV Index (UVI) represents the highest UV radiation level recorded each month in Barkly West. It measures the strength of ultraviolet radiation from the sun and helps assess the risk of sunburn and UV-related health issues.

Data source: Statistical UV Index data for Barkly West, based on information from the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

UV Risk Categories

Extreme (11+): Avoid the sun, stay in shade.
Very High (8-10): Limit sun exposure.
High (6-7): Use SPF 30+ and protective clothing.
Moderate (3-5): Midday shade recommended.
Low (0-2): No protection needed.

Compare Barkly West UV Index with Other South Africa Cities

The table above highlights how UV exposure in Barkly West compares to other major locations across South Africa. This comparison helps travelers and residents better understand regional sun intensity and plan outdoor activities with sun safety in mind.

Barkly West's solar exposure compared to other cities in South Africa. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information.
	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
Barkly West	15	15	13	10	7	5	5	8	11	13	14	16
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
Soweto UVI	16	15	13	11	7	6	6	8	11	13	15	16