Last updated: July 2, 2025
In the sun-soaked city of La Paz, Argentina, understanding the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health. Awareness of UV levels helps in preventing sunburn and long-term skin damage, especially in a climate characterized by warm summers and high UV exposure. With peak UV levels reaching 5 around midday, residents and visitors should be vigilant about sun protection practices to enjoy the outdoors safely. With La Paz’s vibrant culture and outdoor lifestyle, keeping an eye on the UV Index can make all the difference in maintaining healthy skin while soaking in the sunshine.
The UV Index throughout the day reveals a dynamic pattern of solar intensity. Starting with a maximum of 0 at 7 AM, it gradually rises to a moderate 5 at 1 PM, where the sun shines its strongest. By 12 PM, the UV Index hits 4, prompting the need for sun protection. The intensity begins to taper off in the afternoon, dropping to 3 by 3 PM, and further decreasing to 1 by 5 PM. As twilight approaches, the UV Index settles back to 0 by 7 PM, signaling the end of the day's sun exposure. Plan accordingly, especially during those peak hours!
| 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 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 13:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 14:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index displays significant seasonal changes, with the highest levels occurring during the winter months. From January to March, the UV Index peaks at 15, indicating an extreme risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure, with a burn time as short as 10 minutes. The high-risk months continue into November and December, where the index remains at 14 with the same critical exposure timeframe. During the shoulder months of April and September, the index drops to 9, categorized as very high, allowing for slightly longer safe exposure times of 15 minutes. Summer months see a decline in UV levels, with May to July showing indices between 4 and 6, categorized as moderate to high, permitting up to 30 minutes of safe exposure. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to protect themselves with sunscreen, appropriate clothing, and seek shade, particularly during the peak months of January, February, March, October, November, and December to mitigate the risks associated with extreme UV 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 |
| La Paz | 15 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 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 |