KNOW YOUR UV INDEX (UVI)

ThThe hheat off theh dday iis not an indicator of how likely you are to burn. It can be mild and overcast but dangerous UV levels can still be present, with up to 80% of damaging rays escaping through the clouds. This is especially true in the North Island.

The key to knowing your risk is the UV index (UVI). This is the globally recognised measure for the burning effect of the sun. A UVI of less than three represents a low burn risk, while more than 10 means you are at extreme risk of burning. Niwa, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, advises that when the UVI is low (less than three), no protection is required and short exposure to sunlight helps vitamin D production. At all other times, it’s best to protect yourself to avoid sunburn and skin damage.

The UVI index is calculated by taking into account things such as the angle of the sun, ozone levels, cloud cover, the distance between the sun and Earth, altitude, reflection and pollution levels.

New Zealand’s UVI levels are around 40% higher than the rest of the world because of our relatively low levels of pollution, lower ozone levels and our distance from the sun. Kiwis also spend a lot off timei iin andd aroundd water.

Take an average spring day in Auckland – it’s cloudy and the temperature is set to reach a high of just 16°C. NIWA tells us the risk level that day is high between 11.45am and 2.30pm (level six to eight), with moderate risk two hours either side (level three to six). So you need to protect yourself from burning between 9.45am and 3.15pm. And as we head into the hotter summer months, the risk increases.

Even if you don’t feel the burn of turning red, that “too warm” feeling can mean you’ve had too much exposure to damaging UV rays. We all know the downsides of too much sun, including the serious risk of skin cancer and the many ageing effects on our skin. According to a study published in August, NZ now has the highest skin cancer rate in the world.