Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca is essential for protecting your skin and overall health. As the city experiences a BSk climate, residents and visitors face varying UV exposure risks throughout the day. Ranging from minimal levels in the early morning to peak values of 6 around midday, being aware of these fluctuations can help prevent painful sunburns and long-term skin damage. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, you can make informed decisions about sun protection and enjoy the beautiful outdoors while safeguarding your skin health.
At dawn, the UV Index starts at a refreshing 0, making the early hours perfect for a leisurely outdoor stroll. As the sun climbs higher, it reaches 1 by 9:00 AM, gradually intensifying to a moderate 3 by late morning. The peak occurs at 12:00 PM with a strong 5, encouraging sun protection for outdoor activities. Just after noon, the UV Index peaks at 6 at 1:00 PM, signaling the need for sunscreen and shaded areas. The afternoon sees a slight decline, leveling off at 5 and then dropping to 4 by 3:00 PM. As the sun begins to set, the UV Index dips to 1 by 5:00 PM, and finally returns to 0 by 7:00 PM, making way for a peaceful evening. Enjoy the sun, but don’t forget your protection during those high UVI hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 11:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 13:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 14:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 4 | 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 |
| San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca | 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 |