Last updated: September 1, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for everyone living in or visiting San Martin, Colombia, where the tropical climate can lead to significant sun exposure. With UV levels reaching a peak of 13 during midday hours, awareness of these UV readings is essential to prevent sunburn and protect your skin health. Regular monitoring of the UV Index can help you plan your outdoor activities safely, ensuring that you enjoy the sunny days without the risk of harmful effects. Given San Martin's typical exposure risks, being informed is your best defense against the sun's harsh rays!
From sunrise to sunset, the UV Index displays a dramatic rise and fall throughout the day. At 7:00 AM, it starts mild at 1, making early morning outdoor activities relatively safe. As the sun climbs higher, the index escalates quickly, peaking at 13 by noon, indicating potentially harmful levels of UV radiation. The intensity then begins to wane, dropping to 9 by 2:00 PM and further declining to 3 by the late afternoon. As night approaches, the UV Index falls back to 0 by 6:00 PM, signaling a complete retreat of UV exposure. Plan your outdoor activities accordingly and remember to protect your skin during 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 experiences extreme levels throughout the year, peaking at 16 in April. High-risk months for UV exposure are notably March to May, where the index ranges from 15 to 16, indicating a burn time of just 10 minutes for unprotected skin. Even in the summer months of June through August, the index remains high at 13 to 14, warranting caution. Visitors and residents should take necessary precautions during these months, such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and avoiding direct sun exposure during peak hours to minimize the risk of UV-related health issues.
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 |
| San Martin | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 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 |