Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is essential for residents and visitors in Vredefort, South Africa, where the BSk climate often brings intense sunlight that can lead to significant UV exposure. Recognizing UV levels is crucial for sunburn prevention and maintaining overall skin health, as even brief exposure during peak hours can cause damage. In Vredefort, UV Index readings can soar as high as 7 around midday, highlighting the importance of taking protective measures during those hours. Stay informed about your UV risk to enjoy the outdoors safely!
As the sun rises, the UV Index remains low at 1 from 07:00 to 08:00, offering a gentle start to the day. However, as the hours progress, the intensity increases, reaching 3 by 09:00 and peaking at 7 between 11:00 and 13:00. This midday surge signifies the sun's powerful rays, urging everyone to take precautions for skin protection. As the afternoon wanes, the UV Index begins to decline, dropping to 5 at 14:00, and further decreasing to 3 by 15:00. The evening brings relief, with the index falling to 1 by 16:00 and 0 from 18:00 onward. Embrace the early hours for outdoor activities, but stay vigilant during lunchtime when the sun is at its strongest!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 7 | 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 Index levels exhibit significant seasonal changes, with particularly high-risk months identified from January to April and September to November. During these months, the UV Index reaches extreme values from 16 to 13, resulting in a very rapid burn time of just 10 minutes. As the year progresses into the summer months, UV levels decrease slightly, with May seeing a high category at 7 and June dipping to moderate at 5. However, August presents a spike back to a very high index of 8, making sun safety essential. For the best protection against harmful UV rays, it is crucial for both visitors and residents to seek shade, wear protective clothing, and use broad-spectrum sunscreen during peak UV hours, particularly in the extreme months. Remember, even on cloudy days, UV rays can penetrate through clouds, so ongoing vigilance throughout the year is advised.
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 |
| Johannesburg UVI | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| Vredefort | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 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 |