Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Salvador, Brazil, understanding the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin health in this vibrant coastal city. With its tropical climate and abundant sunshine, Salvador boasts beautiful beaches but also presents significant risks for sunburn and long-term skin damage. Knowing the daily UV levels helps residents and visitors alike make informed decisions about sun exposure, ensuring they enjoy the sun safely. During peak hours, typically between 10 AM and 2 PM, UV levels can soar to 9, indicating a very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Awareness of the UV Index empowers you to take protective measures, so you can soak up Salvador's stunning rays while keeping your skin healthy and vibrant.
The UV Index throughout the day showcases a distinctive pattern, peaking dramatically as the sun ascends. From 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM, the index starts at a low 1, gradually climbing to a moderate 3. By 9:00 AM, the intensity rises to 5, but the real surge occurs between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM, where it reaches a maximum of 9, indicating a high risk for sun exposure. As afternoon approaches, the UV Index begins to taper off, dropping to 5 by 2:00 PM, and further declining to 3 at 3:00 PM. The day winds down with 1 at 4:00 PM and dwindling to 0 by 6:00 PM. To ensure safety during peak hours, it's crucial to take precautions from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, when UV radiation is at its strongest.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 9 | 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 |
Throughout the year, ultraviolet (UV) exposure varies significantly, with consistently high levels observed between January and March, where the UV Index remains at an extreme level of 14. The high-risk months are January, February, March, and October to December, all featuring extreme UV ratings and a burn time of just 10 minutes. Meanwhile, April shows a slight decrease to 13, followed by a drop to 10 in May and 9 in June and July, still categorized as very high. As summer transitions to fall, August and September spike back to extreme levels. Visitors and residents are advised to take necessary precautions during these periods, including wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade, especially during peak exposure times.
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 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
| Fortaleza UVI | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |