Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Mossel Bay, South Africa, staying informed about the UV Index is essential for maintaining healthy skin and preventing sunburn, especially given the region's mild, temperate climate characterized by moderate UV exposure. Understanding UV levels helps residents and visitors alike to take necessary precautions against the harmful effects of UV radiation. With peaks reaching a UV Index of 3 around midday, it’s crucial to stay vigilant during these hours. By recognizing daily UV trends, you can enjoy the beautiful South African outdoors while keeping your skin health at the forefront.
The UV Index throughout the day reveals a gradual increase in sun intensity, peaking mid-afternoon. Starting at 0 at 07:00, the index rises to 1 by 08:00 and remains moderate at 1 for the following hour. As the sun ascends, the intensity reaches 2 by 10:00, climbing further to 3 at 11:00, sustaining this level until 14:00. After this peak, a gentle decline begins, with the index dropping to 2 at 15:00, and gradually easing back to 1 by 17:00, before retreating to 0 by 18:00. For anyone spending time outdoors, the late morning to early afternoon presents the highest UV exposure; thus, caution and sun protection are highly advisable during these hours.
| 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 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 13:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 14:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 2 | low | 45 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 |