Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Colombo, Sri Lanka is crucial for safeguarding your skin while enjoying the sun-drenched climate of this tropical paradise. With average UV levels peaking at 14 around noon, awareness of these levels is essential in preventing sunburn and maintaining long-term skin health. The warm, humid weather characteristic of Colombo presents unique challenges for sun exposure, making it vital to stay informed about daily UV fluctuations. By staying vigilant about UV threats, you can fully embrace all that Colombo has to offer while protecting your skin from harmful effects.
At 07:00, the UV Index starts at a modest 2, but as the sun rises higher, it escalates rapidly. By 08:00, the index doubles to 4, signaling a gradual increase in UV exposure. The peak arrives between 10:00 and 12:00, where it hits an impressive 14, indicating a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Temperatures soar as the index dips slightly to 12 by 13:00 and further declines to 9 by 14:00. As the afternoon progresses, the UV levels plummet, dropping to 5 at 15:00 and falling to 2 by 16:00. The sun's strength fades further with readings of 1 at 17:00 and finally reaching 0 after 18:00. It's a stark reminder of the sun's intensity, urging everyone to prioritize sun safety during those peak hours.
Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
---|---|---|---|
07:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
08:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
09:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
10:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
11:00 | 14 | extreme | 10 min |
12:00 | 14 | extreme | 10 min |
13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
15:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
16:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index remains significantly high, indicating an extreme exposure risk for nearly all months. The highest UV Index readings occur from February to April, with a peak of 15 in April, underscoring this period as particularly critical for sun protection. Residents and visitors should be particularly cautious during these high-risk months, which also include March and September when the UV Index is consistently high at 14. Regardless of the month, burn times are alarmingly short, averaging just 10 minutes for peak exposure periods; December is the sole exception with a 15-minute burn time due to a slightly lower UV Index of 10. To stay safe, individuals should wear protective clothing, apply sunscreen regularly, and seek shade during peak sunlight hours throughout the year.
UV Risk Categories
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jaffna UVI | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 |
Moratuwa UVI | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
Maharagama UVI | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia UVI | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
Colombo | 12 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 10 |