Last updated: August 1, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Santa Maria, Brazil is essential for protecting your skin and overall health. With a climate classified as Cfa, residents and visitors can experience varying levels of UV exposure throughout the day, peaking at a UV Index of 5 during midday. By monitoring these levels, you can effectively prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage, ensuring safe enjoyment of outdoor activities. Awareness of UV levels not only promotes healthier skin but also encourages personal responsibility in sun safety practices, especially in a location where the sun can be particularly intense.
The UV Index for today paints a story of a steadily rising sun, reaching its peak in the early afternoon. Starting at 0 at 7 AM, the index climbs cautiously to 1 by 8 AM and remains at this level until 10 AM. As the day progresses, the UV intensity spikes to 4 by 11 AM and reaches its maximum of 5 at both 12 PM and 1 PM, urging sunseekers to apply that sunscreen! The afternoon sees a gradual decline, with the UV Index dipping back to 4 at 2 PM, then 3 at 3 PM, falling further to 2 by 4 PM. As evening approaches, the UV levels drop to 1 by 5 PM, finally settling back to 0 as the sun sets. Stay sun-safe during those peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 14:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 4 | 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 |
The UV Index reveals significant seasonal variations in sun exposure, with the highest risk months occurring from January to March and November to December, where the index consistently falls within the extreme category (UV Index 14-15) and a mere 10 minutes of unprotected skin exposure can lead to burns. In contrast, April marks a transition to very high exposure (UV Index 9), allowing for 15 minutes before sunburn sets in, while May through July see a slight decrease in UV intensity, with May being high (UV Index 6) and a burn time of 25 minutes, and June and July maintaining moderate levels (UV Index 5, 30 minutes burnout). As summer fades into fall, August and September return to high and very high risk (UV Index 7-9, 15-25 minutes), suggesting that careful sun protection is vital, especially during these months. It's essential for both residents and visitors to remain vigilant about sun safety, particularly in high-risk months when exposure can quickly lead to skin damage. Regular application of sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade can significantly mitigate the risks associated with harmful UV rays.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria | 15 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 14 |
| 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 |
| Fortaleza UVI | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |