Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors of Alto Hospicio, Chile, where the sun's rays can be particularly intense due to its BWk climate. By keeping an eye on UV levels, you can take proactive measures to protect your skin from harmful effects such as sunburn and long-term skin damage. During peak hours—especially between 12 PM and 2 PM, when the UV Index reaches its maximum of 8—the risk of overexposure increases significantly. Being informed about daily UV exposure not only promotes better sun safety practices but also supports overall skin health amidst Alto Hospicio’s typical sunny disposition.
At dawn, the UV Index starts at a cool 0 at 07:00, indicating minimal sun exposure risk. As the day unfolds, it slowly rises, reaching 1 by 08:00 and climbing to 2 by 09:00. The sun gains strength, peaking at 8 from 12:00 to 13:00—be sure to wear sunscreen during these hours! A gradual decline follows, with the index dropping to 7 at 14:00, then tapering off to 5 by 15:00. By late afternoon, the UV Index decreases further, sinking to 3 at 16:00, before returning to 1 by 17:00 and settling back at 0 as night falls at 19:00. This hourly trend underscores the importance of protecting your skin when the sun is at its zenith!
| 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 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index exhibits significant seasonal fluctuations, with the highest values recorded during the winter months, notably from January to April, where the index remains at 16 to 12 with an extreme exposure category and a rapid burn time of just 10 minutes. May, while slightly lower at 9 (very high exposure), marks the beginning of a gradual decrease in risk during the summer months, as June sees a drop to 7 (high exposure). However, July and August return to very high levels with indices of 8 and 10, respectively. As the year progresses into September through December, the index increases sharply again to extreme levels, ranging from 12 to 15, emphasizing consistent caution. Visitors and residents should be particularly vigilant during January to April and September to December when UV levels pose a high risk, recommending sunscreen application, protective clothing, and limited outdoor exposure during peak sunlight hours to minimize harmful effects.
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 |
| Antofagasta UVI | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
| Alto Hospicio | 16 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 15 |