Last updated: May 3, 2025
In Petrusville, South Africa, understanding the UV Index is essential for protecting your skin and maintaining overall health. The UV levels can vary significantly throughout the day, peaking around midday when they reach a high of 7, indicating a substantial risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Being aware of these levels is vital for minimizing the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage. With Petrusville's semi-arid BSk climate, residents and visitors alike must remain vigilant about UV exposure, particularly during the warmer months when the sun's rays can be intense, making sunscreen and protective measures a necessity for enjoying outdoor activities safely.
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!
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 |
Throughout the year, UV levels exhibit significant seasonal fluctuations. The high-risk months for UV exposure are from December to March, during which the UV Index reaches extreme levels of 15 to 16 and burn times are as short as 10 minutes. September and November also show elevated UV risks, with indices of 11 to 14. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautions during these months, such as wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen, protective clothing, and sunglasses, while seeking shade during peak hours. As UV exposure decreases in the late spring and summer months, it's still important to remain vigilant, particularly in April and August, where the UV Index can still reach very high levels.
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 |
Petrusville | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 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 |