Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Springbok, South Africa, is crucial for both residents and visitors seeking to enjoy the outdoors safely. With UV levels peaking around midday, it’s essential to be aware of the potential for sunburn and long-term skin health risks. Springbok's BWk climate, characterized by dry and sunny conditions, can elevate UV exposure, making it even more important to monitor these levels. By staying informed about the daily UV Index, you can protect your skin while fully enjoying the beautiful landscapes that Springbok has to offer. Remember, knowledge is your best defense against harmful UV rays!
At dawn, the UV Index starts at 0 at 07:00, offering a safe environment for morning activities. By 08:00 and 09:00, it creeps up to 1, indicating that while the sun is rising, precautions are still minimal. As the day progresses, the sun intensifies—hitting 2 by 10:00 and surging to 5 at both 12:00 and 13:00, the peak hours for UV exposure. It’s the perfect time to apply sunscreen and seek shade if needed. The intensity begins to wane in the afternoon, dropping to 4 at 14:00 and gradually descending to 3 by 15:00. As the sun sets, the UV Index falls back to 1 at 17:00, and finally returns to 0 by 18:00 and 19:00, signaling the end of a day marked by fluctuating UV levels that necessitate careful planning for sun exposure.
| 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 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 13:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 14:00 | 4 | 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 levels fluctuate significantly, with January, February, March, September, October, November, and December identified as high-risk months due to their extreme UV Index ratings of 13 to 15 and minimal burn times of just 10 minutes. As the seasons shift, April sees a drop to a very high UV Index of 10, followed by May with a high index of 7 and longer burn times of 15 to 25 minutes. June and July introduce more moderate UV levels of 5, allowing for safer sun exposure of 30 minutes. In August, the UV Index rises again to 8, transitioning back toward the high-risk category. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take protective measures, such as applying sunscreen and wearing protective clothing, particularly during the extreme months to minimize the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage.
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 |
| Springbok | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 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 |