Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors of Ribeira do Pombal, Brazil, where sun exposure can vary significantly throughout the day. The UV Index serves as a vital indicator for sunburn prevention and overall skin health, helping you make informed decisions about outdoor activities. In Ribeira do Pombal, with its hot tropical climate, UV levels peak sharply between 10 AM and 2 PM, reaching a maximum of 10—indicating a very high risk for harm from unprotected sun exposure. Being aware of these UV levels empowers you to enjoy the sun safely while protecting your skin from long-term damage.
As the sun rises, the UV Index starts off at a gentle 1 at 07:00, making it a safe time to enjoy outdoor activities. However, as the morning progresses, the index climbs sharply, reaching 3 by 08:00 and hitting 6 by 09:00. The peak exposure occurs from 11:00 to 12:00, where it reaches its maximum of 10, indicating a high risk for harm from unprotected sun exposure. By the afternoon, a gradual decline begins: 8 at 13:00, followed by 5 at 14:00, before tapering off to 3 at 15:00. As the day winds down, UV levels decrease to 1 by 16:00 and drop to 0 after 18:00, making late evening a soothing time to relax outdoors without sun concerns. Always remember to protect your skin during those peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index exhibits seasonal highs during the early months of the year, with values consistently reaching 14 from January through April, signaling an extreme exposure category and a rapid burn time of just 10 minutes. This pattern continues into August and September, with indexes peaking at 12 and 13, respectively, indicating a high risk for sunburn. June and July see a slight dip to 10, categorized as very high, where burn time increases to 15 minutes. November and December reflect another peak with values at 15, underscoring the ongoing risk. For both residents and visitors, it is crucial to take protective measures, especially during these high-risk months, such as wearing sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses, and seeking shade when possible.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio de Janeiro UVI | 15 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 |
| Sao Paulo UVI | 16 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| Belo Horizonte UVI | 17 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 16 |
| Salvador UVI | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
| Ribeira do Pombal | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
| Fortaleza UVI | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |