Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Santa Maria, Argentina, understanding the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin health and preventing sunburns. With its Cwb climate, characterized by a temperate atmosphere, residents and visitors alike can experience varying UV levels throughout the day. As the sun reaches its peak around midday, the UV Index can climb to serious levels—peaking at 8 at 1 PM. Awareness of these fluctuations is essential not only for enjoying the great outdoors safely but also for avoiding the long-term effects of UV exposure. Stay informed and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself from potential skin damage in this sunny locale!
The UV Index throughout the day showcases a dynamic dance of solar intensity. Morning hours start off gentle, with values of 0 until 09:00, only creeping up to 1 by mid-morning. As the sun climbs higher, the index rises sharply, peaking at a robust 8 around 13:00, highlighting the potential for strong UV exposure. The early afternoon brings a slight decline to 7 by 14:00 and continues to ease down to 4 by 16:00. As the day winds down, the UV intensity drops rapidly, falling back to 1 by 18:00 and returning to 0 by 19:00. For those enjoying the sun, protective measures are essential during those peak hours, especially between 11:00 and 14:00!
| 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 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
During the year, UV Index values exhibit significant seasonal variations, with extreme risk months dominating the beginning and end of the year. From January to April, and again in September to December, the UV Index remains at 12 or higher, signaling the need for caution as burn times are as short as 10 minutes. The high-risk months for UV exposure are November and December, peaking at an index of 18 and 17, respectively. In contrast, the summer months (May to August) display slightly lower values, categorized as very high, with burn times extending to 15–25 minutes. Residents and visitors are advised to take precautionary measures during these high UV periods by wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen regularly, and seeking shade when necessary to avoid harmful sun exposure.
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 Miguel de Tucuman UVI | 15 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 15 |
| Santa Maria | 17 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 18 |