Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Norton, Zimbabwe is essential for safeguarding your skin and overall health. The UV levels throughout the day can reach critical highs, particularly between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, where they peak at a severe 10, signaling a significant risk for sunburn and skin damage. With Norton's Cwb climate, characterized by warm summers, being aware of these fluctuations helps residents and visitors make informed decisions about sun protection. Embracing UV Index awareness not only promotes skin health but also encourages outdoor enjoyment while minimizing the risk of harmful exposure.
The UV Index fluctuates throughout the day, starting off mildly at 07:00 with a value of 1. As the sun rises higher, the intensity increases, reaching 2 by 08:00 and escalating sharply to 5 at 09:00. The peak UV intensity occurs around 12:00, hitting a maximum of 10, indicating the need for sun protection. After this peak, the index gradually declines, dipping to 9 by 13:00 and lowering further to 6 by 14:00. As afternoon fades into evening, UV exposure diminishes significantly, dropping to 3 by 15:00 and then back to 1 by 16:00, before finally reaching 0 by 18:00 and remaining at zero into the night. Stay safe while enjoying the sunshine!
| 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 | 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 | 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 |
Throughout the year, UV Index levels exhibit significant seasonal fluctuations, with the highest values recorded from January to April, where an extreme exposure category prevails (UV Index 17 to 13) and a burn time of just 10 minutes is sufficient to sustain skin damage. February holds the peak UV index at 16, making it a critical month for sun safety. As the year progresses into May to August, UV levels drop slightly to very high (UV Index 10 to 8) with a burn time of 15 minutes. This trend continues into September and October, where UV levels rise back to an extreme category (UV Index 12 and 13). Notably, November sees a high UV Index of 15, before settling back to 15 in December. Visitors and residents are advised to remain vigilant, especially during the high-risk months of January to April, where protective measures such as sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses should be prioritized to minimize skin damage from high UV exposure.
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 |
| Norton | 17 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 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 |