Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Contratación, Colombia, staying informed about the UV Index is essential for protecting yourself from harmful sun exposure. Understanding UV levels is crucial not just for preventing painful sunburn but also for maintaining long-term skin health and reducing the risk of skin cancers. Given Contratación’s tropical Af climate, where UV levels can soar as high as 14 during midday hours, residents and visitors face significant risks if proper precautions aren't taken. By monitoring the UV Index, you can enjoy the sun safely while minimizing potential harm to your skin and overall well-being.
The UV Index today paints a vivid picture of a sunny day's intensity. Starting off at a moderate level of 1 at 7:00 AM, the sun rises steadily, peaking at 14 around 12:00 PM—a high risk time for unprotected skin. Expect the index to hit its zenith at 1:00 PM with a dramatic 13, only to gently recede as the afternoon fades, dropping to 6 by 3:00 PM. As the sun begins to set, the levels decrease further, retreating to 1 by 5:00 PM and finally to a 0 by 7:00 PM, signaling a safe window for late evening activities. Remember to protect your skin during those peak hours!
Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
---|---|---|---|
07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
09:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
10:00 | 10 | very high | 15 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 | 6 | high | 25 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 |
Throughout the year, the UV Index remains consistently extreme from January to November, with values peaking in March and April at 16. February also shows a high value of 14, making it important for all months to take sun safety precautions seriously, especially from January to May when the UV levels are particularly elevated. Visitors and residents are advised to limit direct sun exposure to 10 minutes during peak hours, wear protective clothing, and apply broad-spectrum sunscreen regularly to minimize the risk of sunburn and skin damage. Even in the later months, like November and December, when the UV Index is slightly reduced, caution is still recommended as the exposure category remains extreme.
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 |
Contratacion | 13 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 |
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 |