Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Mennzel Bou Zelfa, Tunisia, awareness of the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin health against the sun's potentially harmful rays. Understanding UV levels is essential not just for preventing painful sunburns, but also for reducing long-term skin damage that can lead to skin cancer. With a Mediterranean climate characterized by hot, dry summers, residents and visitors face significant UV exposure risks, especially during peak hours when the index can soar to 11 by noon. Stay informed and protect yourself by checking the UV Index regularly!
Experience a dynamic range of UV Index levels throughout the day! Starting at 7:00 AM, the UV Index is a mild 2, gradually increasing to a moderate 3 by 8:00 AM. The sun intensifies as the morning progresses, peaking at a high of 11 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM—the perfect time to take extra precautions. As the afternoon unfolds, the UV Index begins to decline, tapering off to 6 by 3:00 PM, and dropping to 4 by 4:00 PM. By the evening, the UV levels fade to 1 by 6:00 PM, making it safe to enjoy the cooler hours outside. Remember to stay protected during peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV exposure varies significantly, with the highest risk months occurring from April to September. During this period, the UV Index reaches very high levels, peaking in June at an extreme Index of 11, where the burn time is a mere 10 minutes. Visitors and residents should be particularly cautious from March to September, when the index consistently exceeds 6, indicating a high to extreme risk of skin damage. To protect against harmful UV rays, it's advisable to wear sunscreen with a high SPF, protective clothing, and seek shade during peak sun hours, especially from late spring through summer. As the UV Index decreases in fall and winter, with moderate levels in January and December, vigilance remains important, albeit with longer safe exposure times of 30 minutes.
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 |
| Mennzel Bou Zelfa | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 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 |
| Kairouan UVI | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 |