Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Upington, South Africa, is crucial for safeguarding your skin health under the intense African sun. With a BWh climate that boasts plenty of sunshine, residents and visitors alike face increased risks of sunburn and long-term skin damage. By staying informed about UV levels, particularly during peak hours when the index can reach 5, you can take essential measures to protect yourself and enjoy the beautiful outdoors safely. Familiarize yourself with the daily UV Index to make the most of Upington's sunny days while prioritizing your skin’s well-being.
Today’s UV Index paints a clear picture of the sun's intensity throughout the day. Beginning at a cool 0 at 07:00, the UV levels gradually rise, reaching a mild 1 by 08:00 and 09:00. As the clock strikes 10:00, the index jumps to 3, signaling a moderate risk. The sun blazes at 12:00, peaking at 5, a time to apply that sunscreen if you plan to be outdoors! This peak remains steady until 14:00, before it begins to dip. By 15:00, UV levels drop to 3, and by 17:00, they cool off to 1. As the day winds down, the UV Index returns to a safe 0 by 18:00 and remains there through the evening. Stay protected under the midday sun to enjoy your day!
| 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 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 13:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 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 index levels exhibit significant seasonal variation, with the highest values occurring during the winter months. January and February lead with extreme UV indices of 15 and 16, respectively, allowing only 10 minutes of safe sun exposure. Following closely, March also remains extreme at 13. As spring progresses into April, the UV Index drops to 10 (very high) but still necessitates caution with a 15-minute burn time. In contrast, the summer months of June and July experience a moderate UV Index of 5, slightly increasing to 8 in August. However, the risk climbs again in September, registering an extreme index of 11, along with October and November at 13 and 14 respectively, returning to 10-minute burn times. Given this data, visitors and residents are strongly advised to exercise increased sun safety measures—especially from January to March, and again in September to November—to reduce the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage, particularly during high-risk months marked by extreme UV 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 |
| Upington | 15 | 16 | 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 |