Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Sabanalarga, Colombia, being aware of the UV Index is essential for protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays. With the region's tropical climate, understanding UV levels can help prevent sunburn and promote long-term skin health. During the peak hours, especially between 10 AM and 2 PM, the UV Index can reach dangerous levels, peaking at 14—indicating a very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. By staying informed about these levels, residents and visitors can take proactive measures to enjoy the sun safely while minimizing the risks associated with prolonged UV exposure.
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins to climb steadily. At 07:00, it starts at a modest 1, indicating low levels of UV radiation. By 08:00, it jumps to 4, inching closer to moderate levels. The intensity peaks spectacularly at 12:00, reaching 14, signaling a critical need for sun protection. As the afternoon progresses, the UV Index gradually decreases: 12:00 and 13:00 remain high at 14 and 12, respectively, before dipping to 9 at 14:00. By late afternoon, the risk recedes to 5 at 15:00 and continues to decline, falling to 1 by 17:00 and finally to a safe 0 by 18:00. This data highlights the importance of being sun-smart during the midday peak hours!
Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
---|---|---|---|
07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
08:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
09:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
10:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
11:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
12:00 | 14 | extreme | 10 min |
13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
15:00 | 5 | 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 remains consistently high throughout the year, with extreme levels present from January to May and a slight decrease in the following months. March sees the peak UV Index of 16, while other months maintain readings between 12 and 14. Notably, the high-risk months for sun exposure are from January to May, where the burn time is just 10 minutes. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautions during these months by wearing protective clothing, using broad-spectrum sunscreen, and seeking shade during peak sunlight hours to minimize the risk of harmful UV exposure.
UV Risk Categories
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Barranquilla UVI | 11 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
Cartagena UVI | 11 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
Sabanalarga | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Medellin UVI | 14 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Cali UVI | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Bogota UVI | 15 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 |