Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in El Jem, Tunisia is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health. With average peak UV levels often surging to 10 during the midday hours, awareness of these levels can play a significant role in preventing sunburn and reducing long-term skin damage. El Jem, characterized by its hot semi-arid climate, exposes residents and visitors to heightened UV risks, particularly from late morning to early afternoon when the sun is at its strongest. Stay informed about UV levels to enjoy the beautiful sights of this historic city while protecting your skin from harmful rays!
The UV Index for the day offers a dynamic range that peaks around midday. Starting at a mild level of 1 at 07:00, the intensity gradually escalates, reaching a notable 3 by 08:00. As the sun climbs higher, the index hits 5 at 09:00 and gets serious by 10:00 with a 7. The true zenith arrives at 12:00, where the UV Index soars to an impressive 10, signaling the highest sun exposure risk. The afternoon sees a gradual decline—dropping to 9 at 13:00 and then easing to 8 by 14:00. By late afternoon, the index falls to 5 at 15:00, continuing its descent to 3 at 16:00, 2 at 17:00, and finally tapering back to 1 as the evening sets in. Stay sun-smart during peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index fluctuates, indicating varying levels of solar radiation exposure. From January to March, UV levels gradually rise from moderate (4) to high (7), with burn times decreasing from 30 minutes to 25 minutes. The high-risk months commence in April, reaching a peak UV Index of 11 in June and July, categorized as extreme with a critical burn time of just 10 minutes. Following this peak, August sees a slight drop to a very high (10) index, while September and October remain relatively high but more manageable, with indices of 9 and 7 respectively. As the year winds down, the index further declines to moderate levels (5) in November and 3 in December. Visitors and residents are advised to be particularly cautious during April through September; during these months, protective measures such as sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses are essential to avoid harmful effects from high UV exposure.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bizerte UVI | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Tunis UVI | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Sousse UVI | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Sfax UVI | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| El Jem | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| Kairouan UVI | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 |