Live UV forecast for 11 cities
Lesotho stretches from -30.4° to -28.7666° latitude (Southern hemisphere), so UV conditions differ a lot from region to region. The clear-sky UV index reaches ≈ 8.5 in Butha-Buthe (peak in January), while in Thaba-Tseka the yearly maximum is only ≈ 8.4. As in the whole Southern hemisphere, the sun is strongest from November to February — opposite to Europe and North America.
| Zone | Cities | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subtropical | 11 | 8.4 | 8.1 | 7.3 | 6.1 | 5.1 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 5.6 | 6.7 | 7.6 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 8.4 |
Calculated clear-sky noon peaks at the average latitude of each zone. Real values vary with clouds, altitude and ozone.
Using Maseru as a reference: the UV index reaches 6+ in January, February, March, April, September, October, November and December. In the sunniest zones (see table) SPF 30–50+ is needed almost year-round; in the mildest — only in late spring and summer.
The calculated clear-sky maximum is ≈ 8.5 — in Butha-Buthe around January. Values above this occur only near the equator and in high mountains.
Butha-Buthe (peak ≈ 8.5), followed by Hlotse and Mabote. The mildest sun is in Thaba-Tseka (max ≈ 8.4).
In Maseru and similar latitudes the UV reaches 6+ in January, February, March, April, September, October, November and December: use SPF 30–50+ on sunny days. Protection is advised from UV 3.
No — the local maximum is ≈ 8.5. UV 11+ occurs only near the equator, in deserts and high mountains.