Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors of Tocopilla, Chile, a region where the sun shines brightly under its semi-arid BWk climate. With UV levels reaching up to 7—especially during midday hours—awareness of these levels is vital for preventing sunburn and promoting long-term skin health. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, you can effectively plan your outdoor activities, ensuring you protect yourself from harmful UV rays while enjoying the vibrant beauty of Tocopilla.
The UV Index throughout the day reveals a dynamic and vibrant midday sun. Starting at 07:00, the UV levels are negligible at 0, slowly rising to 1 by 08:00. As the clock ticks towards 10:00, the intensity escalates to 4, reaching its peak at 12:00 with a robust 7. This high level of UV radiation continues until 14:00, when it slightly declines to 6. As the afternoon progresses, it tapers off, dropping to 4 at 15:00, and further decreasing to 2 by 16:00. The evening ushers in a calming effect, with levels settling back to 1 at 17:00 and 18:00, before retreating to 0 by 19:00. This pattern emphasizes the importance of sun protection during the daylight hours, especially when the index peaks at midday.
Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
---|---|---|---|
07:00 | 0 | 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 displays significant seasonal variations, with the highest risk concentrated in the winter months of January and February, where the index peaks at 15 and is classified as extreme, indicating a burn time of just 10 minutes. As the year progresses, UV levels gradually decrease until reaching a low in June and July, where the index is considered high at 6-7, allowing for a burn time of 25 minutes. However, caution is still warranted during the late summer and early fall; August and September see a resurgence in UV levels, with indexes of 9 and 11 and burn times of 15 and 10 minutes, respectively. In the late fall and winter months of October through December, UV levels again rise significantly, returning to extreme levels of 14 and burn times capped at 10 minutes. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to protect themselves with sunscreen, protective clothing, and shade during high-risk months, particularly from January through March and September through November.
UV Risk Categories
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Santiago UVI | 14 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 14 |
Valparaiso UVI | 14 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 14 |
Vina del Mar UVI | 14 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 14 |
Puente Alto UVI | 15 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 15 |
Tocopilla | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 |
Antofagasta UVI | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 15 |