Last updated: July 2, 2025
In El Peñón, Dominican Republic, awareness of the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin from harmful sun exposure. With the region's tropical climate and high UV levels, a solid understanding of these readings can be a game-changer in preventing sunburn and promoting long-term skin health. During peak hours, especially between 11 AM and 1 PM, UV levels can soar as high as 12, placing residents and visitors at significant risk. By staying informed about the UV Index, you can enjoy the beautiful sunshine of El Peñón while safeguarding your skin against its potentially damaging effects.
At dawn, the UV Index starts off gently, peaking at just 1 by 7:00 AM. As the sun climbs higher, its intensity increases rapidly, reaching 4 by 9:00 AM and striking 10 by 11:00 AM—a clear warning to seek shade or slather on sunscreen. The highest reading of 12 occurs at both noon and 1:00 PM, indicating peak solar intensity. Fortunately, as afternoon approaches, the index begins to wane, dropping to 8 by 3:00 PM and further declining to below 5 by 4:00 PM. By the time 7:00 PM rolls around, the UV danger has diminished significantly, settling back to a safe 1. Stay protected during those intense midday hours!
Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
---|---|---|---|
07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
09:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
10:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
12:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
14:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
15:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
16:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
17:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index experiences significant fluctuations throughout the year, with the highest levels observed from February to August, where it consistently reaches extreme levels of 11 to 13. March, April, May, June, and August mark the highest-risk months, with 10 minutes being the maximum safe exposure time before burning occurs. January, November, and December represent months of very high UV exposure, with slightly longer burn times of 15 minutes. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautions during these high-risk months by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade when possible, especially during peak sun hours.
UV Risk Categories
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
El Penon | 9 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 8 |
Santiago de los Caballeros UVI | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 8 |
Santo Domingo Oeste UVI | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 8 |
Santo Domingo UVI | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 8 |
Santo Domingo Este UVI | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 8 |
San Pedro de Macoris UVI | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 8 |