The Ultraviolet Index
Personal UVI Behaviour Table
How UV behaves during the day |
How Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) Behaves During a Day
Graph showing UVI levels on summer dayThe Ultraviolet radiation in our environment is highest during January, when it can get as high as 14 in Northland. This is extreme, and over-exposure can lead to skin cancer.
Throughout a day UVR behaves in a predictable way. It is highest at solar noon, which is about 1pm during daylight saving months. Typically, during a New Zealand summer you will need to protect yourself at least between 11am and 4pm.
Protection from over exposure to UVR is required when the UVI levels reach 6 and above, and this happens almost daily between October and March.
The Ultraviolet Index (UVI) is an international, scientific measure of the levels of Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in our environment.
In New Zealand the UVI gets to very high levels in summer. The media includes the UVI as part of their weather forecasting, and these forecasts are also available on MetService and SunSmart websites. |
