Last updated: July 2, 2025
Awareness of the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Kabompo, Zambia, where the Cwa climate brings significant sun exposure throughout the year. Understanding UV levels is essential for preventing sunburn and maintaining overall skin health, especially during peak hours when the index can soar to 9 around midday. With a typical pattern of increasing UV intensity from morning to afternoon, knowing when to seek shade or apply sunscreen can greatly reduce the risk of harmful UV effects. Stay informed to enjoy the sunny days while protecting your skin!
The UV Index throughout the day reveals a distinct pattern of increasing intensity, peaking at an impressive 9 during the sun's zenith. From a gentle 1 at 07:00 and 08:00, the index gradually rises to 3 by 09:00. As the clock strikes 10:00, it escalates to 5, hitting 7 by 11:00 and reaching its maximum at 12:00. Both the 12:00 and 1:00 hours hold steady at 9, emphasizing the need for sun protection during these times. The afternoon brings a decline, moving to 7 at 14:00 and dropping to 4 by 15:00. As the day winds down, the index gently retreats to 2 at 16:00, finally settling back to a safe 1 by 17:00 and diminishing to 0 after 19:00. This data serves as a crucial reminder to stay sun-smart during the midday hours when UV exposure is at its highest.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index exhibits significant seasonal variability, with extreme exposure levels persisting from January to April, where the index reaches as high as 16, indicating a critical risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. May marks a slight decrease with an index of 11, while June through August sees a shift to very high levels, peaking at 10 in August with a burn time of 15 minutes. As the year progresses into September and October, the UV Index returns to extreme levels, remaining at 12 with a burn time of just 10 minutes. It's crucial for both visitors and residents to take precautions during high-risk months, particularly from January to April and September to November, by wearing protective clothing, using sunscreen, and limiting time in direct sunlight to avoid serious sunburn and skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kabompo | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 |
| Lusaka UVI | 17 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 16 |
| Chingola UVI | 16 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 16 |
| Kitwe UVI | 16 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| Kabwe UVI | 17 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| Ndola UVI | 16 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |