Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Salamanca, Chile, is crucial for protecting your skin and maintaining overall health. With the potential for sunburn and long-term skin damage, being aware of UV levels helps you make informed decisions about outdoor activities. Salamanca's Mediterranean climate (Csb) brings plenty of sunshine, leading to varying UV exposure risks throughout the day. From morning hours with lower UV readings to peak levels hitting 6 around noon, it’s essential to stay vigilant and take protective measures—because even on seemingly mild days, UV rays can still pose threats to your skin health.
The UV Index throughout the day presents a dynamic interplay of sunlight, peaking at 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM with a robust 6. Early risers will enjoy the gentle warmth with a UV Index of 0 at 7:00 AM, slowly climbing to 1 by 8:00 AM. As the morning progresses, it reaches 3 at 10:00 AM and then escalates to its highest at noon. Afternoon hours see a gradual decline, dipping back to 5 at 2:00 PM before gently dropping to 3 by 3:00 PM. As the sun sets, the index retreats below 1 from 5:00 PM onward, concluding with a soothing 0 at 6:00 PM and remaining steady until dusk. Make sure to stay protected during the peak hours, especially when the sun's rays are at their strongest!
| 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 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 14:00 | 5 | 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 |
| Salamanca | 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 |