Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors of La Merced, Argentina, where the sun's rays can pose significant skin health risks. Awareness of UV levels helps in effectively preventing sunburn and protecting your skin from long-term damage. With a semi-arid climate (BSk) that often brings sunny days, La Merced experiences varying UV exposure throughout the day—peaking at 7 around 1 PM. Keeping an eye on the UV Index not only enhances your outdoor experience but also safeguards your health against harmful radiation.
During the day, the UV Index follows a dynamic pattern, peaking in the early afternoon. At 07:00, the index begins at a safe 0, gradually rising to 1 by 08:00. As the sun climbs higher, the values increase steadily—reaching 2 at 10:00 and then escalating to 4 by 11:00. The intensity spikes at 12:00, soaring to 6, before peaking at an impressive 7 at 13:00. The UV levels then begin to taper off, decreasing to 6 at 14:00 and further dropping to 5 by 15:00. As the afternoon wanes, the index declines to 3 at 16:00, and finally settles back at 1 by 17:00 and 18:00, before returning to 0 by 19:00. This hourly data highlights the importance of sun safety, especially during those peak hours when UV exposure is highest.
Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
---|---|---|---|
07:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
09:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
10:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
11:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
12:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
13:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
14:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
15:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
16:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV levels fluctuate significantly, with the highest risk months occurring from January to March and again in October to November, when the UV Index reaches extreme levels (up to 16), with a burn time of just 10 minutes. The transition in risk continues with April marking a shift to very high exposure (UV Index 10, burn time 15 minutes), while May through July sees a moderate reduction, where the UV Index ranges from 5 to 7 and burn times increase to 25-30 minutes. August maintains high exposure levels similar to July, before returning to very high levels in September. Visitors and residents are advised to take precautions during high UV months by wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen frequently, and limiting sun exposure during peak hours to minimize the risks of skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buenos Aires UVI | 14 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 14 |
Rosario UVI | 14 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 14 |
Mendoza UVI | 15 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 15 |
Cordoba UVI | 15 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 15 |
La Merced | 16 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 15 |
San Miguel de Tucuman UVI | 15 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 15 |