Last updated: May 3, 2025
In Mossel Bay, South Africa, being aware of the UV Index is crucial for maintaining healthy skin and avoiding painful sunburns. Understanding UV levels helps residents and visitors make informed decisions about sun exposure, especially in a region known for its mild maritime climate. With peak UV Index values reaching up to 5 during midday hours, it's essential to adopt protective measures to safeguard against skin damage. This proactive approach not only protects against immediate discomfort but also plays a significant role in long-term skin health. Stay informed and enjoy the sun safely in Mossel Bay!
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 demonstrates significant seasonal variations, with the highest levels occurring in the winter months of January, February, and December, where an extreme exposure category means a burn time of just 10 minutes. Following closely, March and November also present extreme UV conditions, while April features a shift to very high levels, increasing exposure risk with a burn time of 15 minutes. As the weather warms, UV levels decrease in May, June, July, and August, falling to a moderate category with longer burn times of 30 minutes. However, a resurgence is noted in September and October, where the index climbs back to very high and extreme ratings, respectively. Visitors and residents should be particularly cautious during these high-risk months (January through April, September, October, and November) and take protective measures such as wearing sunscreen, sunglasses, and protective clothing when outdoors to minimize UV exposure.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mossel Bay | 14 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 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 |