Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Illapel, Chile, being aware of the UV Index is essential for safeguarding your skin and overall health. Understanding UV levels plays a crucial role in preventing sunburn and mitigating long-term skin damage, especially as Illapel's BSk climate can lead to elevated UV exposure during peak hours. With UV Index levels reaching as high as 5 around midday, it’s imperative for residents and visitors alike to stay informed about sun safety. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, you can enjoy the beautiful Chilean sun while protecting yourself from its harmful effects.
At dawn, the UV Index starts at 0 at 07:00, offering a safe environment for morning activities. By 08:00 and 09:00, it creeps up to 1, indicating that while the sun is rising, precautions are still minimal. As the day progresses, the sun intensifies—hitting 2 by 10:00 and surging to 5 at both 12:00 and 13:00, the peak hours for UV exposure. It’s the perfect time to apply sunscreen and seek shade if needed. The intensity begins to wane in the afternoon, dropping to 4 at 14:00 and gradually descending to 3 by 15:00. As the sun sets, the UV Index falls back to 1 at 17:00, and finally returns to 0 by 18:00 and 19:00, signaling the end of a day marked by fluctuating UV levels that necessitate careful planning for sun exposure.
| 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 | 2 | low | 45 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 |
The UV Index experiences significant seasonal changes, with the most critical levels evident during the winter months of January, February, and December, where the index peaks at 15, indicating an extreme exposure category and a burn time of only 10 minutes. Similarly, March and November also register high levels of UV radiation, maintaining an extreme rating with a burn time of 10 minutes. As spring progresses into April, the index drops to 9 (very high), allowing for slightly longer safe exposure of 15 minutes, while May sees a moderate reduction to 6 (high) with a burn time of 25 minutes. The summer months of June and July see lower UV levels of 4 and 5 (moderate), respectively. However, as autumn approaches, the index rises again in September and October to 9 and 11 (very high and extreme) before reverting back to extreme levels in November. Visitors and residents are advised to take precautionary measures during the high-risk months, particularly from October to March, by wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen regularly, and limiting sun exposure during peak UV hours.
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 |
| Illapel | 15 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 |
| Puente Alto UVI | 15 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 15 |
| Antofagasta UVI | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 15 |