Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Copiapó, Chile, understanding the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin and preventing sunburn. With the city's BWk climate, characterized by hot and dry conditions, UV levels can rise significantly, peaking at 5 during midday hours. By being aware of UV Index levels throughout the day, residents and visitors can take necessary precautions to protect their skin from harmful rays, ensuring healthy and enjoyable outdoor activities. Remember, even low UV levels can add up over time, so staying informed is key to maintaining your skin health while basking in Copiapó's radiant sun.
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 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 5 | 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 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index displays significant seasonal fluctuations, with the highest risk of harmful UV exposure occurring during the winter and early spring months. January, February, and March all have extreme UV levels (Index 16, 15, and 13 respectively) with a burn time of just 10 minutes. Following this intensity, April has a very high UV Index of 10, but the burn time extends to 15 minutes. As we move into summer, UV exposure decreases slightly, peaking again in August (very high, Index 8) and September (very high, Index 10) before dipping in the fall. By the year’s end, extreme levels return in October and November (16 and 15), prompting caution. Visitors and residents should be advised to take necessary precautions — wear protective clothing, use sunscreen, and limit sun exposure, especially during these high-risk months to protect their skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation.
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 |
| Copiapo | 16 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
| Antofagasta UVI | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 15 |