Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Calvinia, South Africa, understanding the UV Index is essential for protecting your skin and overall health. With the typical BWk climate characterized by intense sunlight, awareness of UV levels can significantly reduce the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage. During peak hours, especially around midday when UV levels can reach as high as 5, residents and visitors alike should take precautions to enjoy the sun safely. Embracing UV Index awareness is not just wise; it's a crucial step towards maintaining your skin health in this sun-drenched region.
The UV Index data throughout the day reveals an intriguing pattern of sun exposure. Starting off at a cool 0 at 7 AM, the index gradually climbs, reaching 1 by 8 AM and remaining steady until it hits 2 at 10 AM. The intensity peaks at 12 PM with a robust 4, and the highest reading of 5 occurs at 1 PM, signaling the sun’s strongest rays. As the afternoon unfolds, the UV levels begin to decline, dropping to 4 at 2 PM and further decreasing to 3 by 3 PM. The sun's influence wanes significantly as evening approaches, plummeting to 0 by 6 PM. This hourly data serves as a helpful reminder for sun safety, especially during the midday hours when UV exposure is at its highest.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 11:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 13:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 14:00 | 4 | 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 |
Throughout the year, UV index levels fluctuate significantly, with the highest levels occurring in the winter months of January, February, and March, where the UV index reaches extremes of 15, 14, and 12, respectively, resulting in a burn time of just 10 minutes. As we transition into the spring, April sees a decrease to a very high index of 9, with a burn time extended to 15 minutes. May brings a high index of 6 (25 minutes burn time) and June and July remain moderate with indices of 4 and 5 respectively. August ramps back up to a high of 7, followed by September with a very high index of 10. As the year closes, October and November return to extreme levels of 12 and 13, with December matching January at a UV index of 15. Given this data, visitors and residents should be particularly cautious during January, February, March, and October to December, as these months present the highest risk for UV exposure. It is advised to seek shade, wear protective clothing, and apply sunscreen frequently during these high-risk months to mitigate the dangers of UV radiation.
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 |
| Calvinia | 15 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 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 |
| Soweto UVI | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 |