Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Albertina, South Africa is essential for safeguarding your skin health as this region experiences significant UV exposure, particularly during the midday hours. With the climate classified as BSk, residents and visitors alike should be aware of how varying UV levels can impact their time outdoors, especially between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM when the index peaks at a level 5. Being informed about UV levels helps in preventing sunburn and long-term skin damage, ensuring that you can enjoy Albertina's beautiful sunny days with confidence and care.
The UV index makes a gradual ascent throughout the morning, starting at a low of 0 at 07:00 and peaking at a moderate 5 from 12:00 to 13:00. As the sun reaches its zenith, UV exposure is at its highest, making it essential to protect your skin during these hours. After 13:00, the index begins its descent, dropping back to a relatively low value of 3 by 15:00 and further down to 1 towards the evening. As the sun sets at 18:00, the UV index returns to 0, signaling a safe end to sun exposure for the day. Enjoy the sun, but remember to stay sun-smart during those peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 2 | 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 | 4 | 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 |
The UV Index exhibits significant seasonal fluctuations, with extremely high values in the winter months of January and December, reaching 14 and leading to a burn time of just 10 minutes. February and March also show extreme levels at 13 and 11, requiring similar caution. As the seasons transition into spring, the UV Index decreases, with April registering a high level of 7 and a longer burn time of 25 minutes. The summer months are characterized by a moderate UV Index, with values from 3 to 5 from June to August, leading to burn times of 30 minutes. However, as September arrives, the index rises sharply again to 9, indicating very high risk, which is followed by a return to extreme levels in October (11) and November (12). Visitors and residents are strongly advised to protect their skin during high-risk months—notably from January to March and October to December—by using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade, particularly during peak sunlight hours.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albertina | 14 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 14 |
| 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 |
| 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 |