Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors of Mount Darwin, Zimbabwe, where the Cwa climate brings long, sunny days. With UV levels soaring to a maximum of 10 around midday, awareness of these levels is paramount for sunburn prevention and maintaining skin health. Ignoring the UV Index can expose you to significant risks, making it essential to track daily variations to protect yourself from damaging rays. As sunshine bathes this vibrant region, take care to monitor the UV Index and enjoy the outdoors safely.
Throughout the day, the UV Index exhibits a distinct peak just before noon. Starting off at a mild 1 at 7:00 AM, it rises steadily, reaching 2 by 8:00 AM. By 9:00 AM, it jumps to 5, and then it surges to an impressive 10 at both 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM, indicating a high level of sun exposure risk. As the afternoon unfolds, the readings dip to 9 at 1:00 PM and subsequently decline further to 6 at 2:00 PM. By 3:00 PM, it drops to 3, and the day winds down with values of 1 at 4:00 and 5:00 PM, before fading to 0 by 6:00 PM and beyond. For optimal sun safety, keep to the shade as the sun peaks!
Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
---|---|---|---|
07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
09:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
10:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
13:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
14:00 | 6 | high | 25 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 displays significant seasonal variations, with the highest levels occurring from January to April, where the index consistently remains at 17 to 15, categorizing this period as extreme with a rapid burn time of just 10 minutes. As we progress into late spring and summer, the index drops slightly to a very high category of 10 to 9 in May through July with a burn time extending to 15 minutes. However, August sees a return to extreme levels at 11. The fall months of September through November once again experience elevated UV indices, ranging from 12 to 15, with associated burn times of 10 minutes. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautions during the high-risk months of January through April and August through November, including the use of sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade to mitigate the risks of sunburn and long-term skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bulawayo UVI | 17 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 |
Mutare UVI | 17 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 |
Gweru UVI | 17 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 |
Chitungwiza UVI | 17 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 |
Harare UVI | 18 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 |
Mount Darwin | 17 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 |