Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is essential for residents and visitors in Riversdale, South Africa. As the sun's intensity varies throughout the day, being aware of UV levels can help you effectively prevent sunburn and maintain skin health. Riversdale, with its semi-arid climate, presents unique challenges, especially during midday when the UV Index can peak at 5—a level that exposes individuals to moderate risks of harm from unprotected sun exposure. So, whether you're enjoying the outdoors or simply out and about, keeping track of the UV Index will ensure you stay safe and protected under the South African sun.
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 experiences significant seasonal fluctuations, peaking during the winter months. January and February record an extreme UV Index of 14 and 13 respectively, with a rapid burn time of just 10 minutes. This trend continues into March with an index of 11. As spring arrives in April, the UV Index drops to 8 (very high), allowing for 15 minutes of exposure before burning occurs. From May to July, the UV Index levels decrease to 5 and 4 (moderate), extending burn times to 30 minutes. However, the UV exposure rises again in late summer, with August at 6 (high) and 25 minutes of burn time. As fall approaches, the UV levels rebound in September to 9 (very high) before shifting back to extreme levels in October (11) and November (12), both with a burn time of 10 minutes. December mirrors January, reaching UV levels of 14. Visitors and residents should take precautionary measures during high-risk months (January to March, October to November) by applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and limiting sun exposure during peak hours to mitigate the risks associated with high UV exposure.
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 |
| Riversdale | 14 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 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 |