Last updated: July 2, 2025
In San Felipe, Chile, understanding the UV Index is crucial for maintaining skin health and preventing painful sunburns. As the sun rises high in the sky, UV levels can fluctuate significantly throughout the day, reaching a maximum of 5 around midday. With San Felipe’s Csb climate, characterized by warm, dry summers, residents and visitors alike face heightened exposure risks, especially during the summer months. Staying informed about UV Index levels not only helps you enjoy the outdoors safely but also protects your skin from long-term damage. Don’t let the sun catch you off guard—know your UV levels and take the necessary precautions!
The UV Index data throughout the day reveals an intriguing pattern of sun exposure. Starting off at a cool 0 at 7 AM, the index gradually climbs, reaching 1 by 8 AM and remaining steady until it hits 2 at 10 AM. The intensity peaks at 12 PM with a robust 4, and the highest reading of 5 occurs at 1 PM, signaling the sun’s strongest rays. As the afternoon unfolds, the UV levels begin to decline, dropping to 4 at 2 PM and further decreasing to 3 by 3 PM. The sun's influence wanes significantly as evening approaches, plummeting to 0 by 6 PM. This hourly data serves as a helpful reminder for sun safety, especially during the midday hours when UV exposure is at its highest.
| 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 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 13:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 14:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index reveals significant seasonal variations in sun exposure levels, with January through March marking the highest-risk months as the UV Index peaks at 15 to 11 and falls under the extreme exposure category, necessitating a burn time of just 10 minutes. Following this intense phase, April sees a drop to 8 (very high) with a slightly longer burn time of 15 minutes. May to July experience moderate levels (UV Index 5 to 4), allowing for 30 minutes of safe exposure, while August escalates to a high category (UV Index 6) where the burn time shortens to 25 minutes. As fall arrives, the UV Index climbs again, peaking in October at 11 and November at 13, indicating a return to extreme levels of exposure with a 10-minute burn time. Residents and visitors should take precautionary measures by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade, particularly during the extreme months, to minimize the risk of UV-related skin damage.
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 |
| San Felipe | 15 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 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 |