Live UV forecast for 45 cities
Rwanda stretches from -2.6924° to -1.2929° latitude (Southern hemisphere), so UV conditions differ a lot from region to region. The clear-sky UV index reaches ≈ 10.8 in Bugaragara (peak in March), while in Shangi the yearly maximum is only ≈ 10.7. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equatorial | 45 | 10.1 | 10.5 | 10.7 | 10.5 | 10.1 | 9.7 | 9.8 | 10.3 | 10.7 | 10.7 | 10.4 | 10.1 | 10.7 |
Calculated clear-sky noon peaks at the average latitude of each zone. In the equatorial belt the UV stays high all year round, with two maxima around the equinoxes. Real values vary with clouds, altitude and ozone.
Using Kigali as a reference: the UV index reaches 6+ in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, 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 ≈ 10.8 — in Bugaragara around March. Values above this occur only near the equator and in high mountains.
Bugaragara (peak ≈ 10.8), followed by Busogo and Byumba. The mildest sun is in Shangi (max ≈ 10.7).
In Kigali and similar latitudes the UV reaches 6+ in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December: use SPF 30–50+ on sunny days. Protection is advised from UV 3.
No — the local maximum is ≈ 10.8. UV 11+ occurs only near the equator, in deserts and high mountains.