Last updated: July 2, 2025
In El Reten, Colombia, staying informed about the UV Index is crucial for ensuring your skin health and preventing sunburn. Understanding UV levels allows residents and visitors alike to take proactive measures to protect themselves from harmful solar radiation. With a tropical climate characterized by intense sunlight, particularly during peak hours (from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., when the UV Index can soar to a maximum of 12), it’s essential to be mindful of sun exposure. Being aware of the UV Index empowers you to enjoy the outdoors while safeguarding your skin against potential damage.
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins its ascent, starting at a gentle 1 by 7:00 AM. By 8:00 AM, it climbs to 3, indicating a slight increase in UV exposure. The intensity peaks dramatically at 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM, both reaching a scorching 12, signaling strong sunlight; this is the time for precaution! As the afternoon progresses, the UV levels gradually descend, with readings of 11 at 1:00 PM and tapering off to 5 by 3:00 PM. As the day winds down, the UV Index returns to safer levels, dropping to 1 by 5:00 PM and fading to 0 by 7:00 PM, reminding us of the sun's fleeting power and the importance of sun safety during the brightest hours.
Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
---|---|---|---|
07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
09:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
10:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
11:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
12:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
13:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 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 |
Seasonal UV changes reveal consistently high UV Index numbers throughout the year, with the peak occurring between March and May, where the UV Index reaches 14. High-risk months for UV exposure are notably from February to May, characterized by an extreme exposure category and a minimal burn time of just 10 minutes. While June to October maintain similarly high levels, December sees a slight decrease, classified as very high with a burn time of 15 minutes. To protect against harmful UV rays, it is crucial for both visitors and residents to wear protective clothing, use broad-spectrum sunscreen, and seek shade, especially during the peak hours of sun 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 |
El Reten | 11 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
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 |