Today’s UV, hour by hour
UV index through the day in East London. Under 3 is low, 3 to 5 moderate, 6 to 7 high, 8 to 10 very high, 11 and above extreme.
| Hour | UV | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | 1 | low |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate |
| 10:00 | 4 | moderate |
| 11:00 | 5 | moderate |
| 12:00 | 3 | moderate |
| 13:00 | 3 | moderate |
| 14:00 | 2 | low |
| 15:00 | 1 | low |
| 16:00 | 1 | low |
| 17:00 | 1 | low |
What the UV has done so far today
The worst of the sun is behind you in East London today. UV peaked at about 5 (moderate) around 11:00, and it is down to 3 at 13:00 and still falling.
These are modelled hourly figures for East London, not a reading off a meter in the town. They are good for the shape of the day — when it climbs, when it peaks, when it lets go — and not for arguing over a tenth of a point.
How long before you burn in East London
Roughly how long unprotected skin has at today’s peak of UV 5, fairest to deepest. Sunscreen, shade and clothing all extend it; these are a guide, not a stopwatch.
- 15 minVery fair skin that always burns, never tans
- 20 minFair skin that burns easily and tans a little
- 45 minLight skin that burns sometimes, then tans
- 1 h 5 minOlive skin that rarely burns and tans easily
- 1 h 25 minBrown skin that burns only in strong sun
- 1 h 45 minDeep brown or black skin that rarely burns
The safe window today
UV climbs past 3 at about 09:20 and drops back under it at about 13:00. Before and after that, sun protection is optional for most people; in between, it is the difference between a walk and a burn.
Is it safe to go outside in East London today?
Yes, with a little care in the middle of the day. UV in East London peaks at about 5 (moderate), which will burn fair skin over a long stretch outside but not a quick one. A hat and sunscreen are worth it between 09:20 and 13:00; either side of that, the sun is not going to catch you out.
That answer is about the sun and nothing else. Heat, storms, smoke and the air itself are separate questions with their own answers, and we would rather say so than let a UV page speak for the whole day. See the full verdict for East London.
UV in East London this week
Tuesday is the strongest day of the week in East London, at about UV 7 (high) — about 2 higher than today's 5.
| Day | UV | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Today | 5 | moderate |
| Tomorrow | 4 | moderate |
| Sunday | 4 | moderate |
| Monday | 5 | moderate |
| Tuesday | 7 | high |
| Wednesday | 4 | moderate |
| Thursday | 3 | moderate |
Each figure is that day's peak — the strongest the sun gets, around midday — not an average for the day. Under 3 is low, 3 to 5 moderate, 6 to 7 high, 8 to 10 very high, 11 and above extreme. UV a week out follows the sun's angle, which is certain, and the cloud, which is not, so the far end of the week can still move.
Why the sun is this strong in South Africa
Three things stack up. South Africa sits between about 22 and 35 degrees south, so the midday sun climbs far higher here than in Europe and its light passes through less atmosphere. Much of the country is high — the interior plateau sits above 1,000 metres and the Highveld above 1,300 — and UV rises by roughly 10% for every 1,000 metres of altitude. And the Earth is closest to the sun in early January, in the middle of our summer, which adds a few per cent more on top. That is why a southern-hemisphere summer noon is a harsher sun than most northern visitors expect.
Heat is not the signal. UV comes from the sun’s angle, not the temperature, which is why a cool, breezy day at the coast and a still, hot day inland can burn you at the same rate.
At around 33 degrees south the summer sun is high and strong, and this coast's constant wind is what makes it dangerous: moving air carries the heat off your skin so the burn does not feel like one until later. Sand and sea reflect more UV back up at you on top of what arrives directly.
More for East London
UV nearby
Overhead is a free guide built on live open weather data from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). It is advisory only — for official warnings and emergencies, follow the South African Weather Service.