Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Carnarvon, South Africa is crucial for safeguarding your skin and preventing sunburn, especially in this BWk climate zone, known for its sunny days and clear skies. With UV levels peaking at 6 during midday, it's essential to be aware of when to seek shade and protect yourself. High UV exposure not only increases the risk of skin damage but can also have long-term effects on your overall skin health. By staying informed about the UV Index, you can enjoy the beautiful South African sun responsibly, ensuring that outdoor activities remain safe and pleasurable.
The UV Index for the day shows a noticeable fluctuation as the hours progress. Starting off at a mild level of 1 at 7:00 and 8:00, the index begins to rise, reaching a peak of 6 between 12:00 and 13:00—the perfect time to seek shade if you’re outdoors! As the afternoon rolls on, the index dips gradually, dropping to 3 by 15:00, then further to 1 by 17:00. Finally, the UV levels fall to 0 after 18:00, signaling a comfortable end to the day. Remember, during those peak hours, it’s essential to protect your skin from overexposure!
| 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 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 14:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 2 | 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 exposure varies significantly, with the highest risk months occurring from January to March, where the UV Index consistently reaches 15 (extreme) and has a burn time of just 10 minutes. Following this, April presents a slight decrease to a UV Index of 9 (very high), with a burn time of 15 minutes, while May sees it drop to 6 (high) with a longer burn time of 25 minutes. As summer arrives, June and July maintain a moderate UV Index of 5, allowing for safer outdoor activity with a burn time of 30 minutes. However, August brings a return to high risk at 7, followed by a significant rise again in September (very high at 10) and a jump to extreme levels in October and November (14-16), where burn times shorten back to 10 minutes. Visitors and residents should take precautions during high risk months by wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen frequently, and minimizing direct sun exposure, especially during peak hours, to safeguard their skin health.
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 |
| Carnarvon | 15 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 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 |