Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors of Rio Grande, Dominican Republic, where the sun shines brightly throughout the year. By monitoring UV levels, you can effectively prevent sunburn and safeguard your skin health against the harmful effects of excessive sun exposure. Rio Grande’s tropical climate offers beautiful sunny days but also presents significant risks, especially when UV indexes peak at an impressive 13 around midday. With awareness of daily UV fluctuations, you can enjoy the vibrant outdoors while protecting yourself from serious skin damage.
The UV Index during the day reveals a notable peak in sun exposure. Starting at 07:00 with a gentle 1, it gradually climbs to 2 by 08:00. As the sun rises higher, the index surges dramatically, hitting 5 at 09:00, and reaching a striking 8 by 10:00. The intensity peaks at 12:00 with a scorching 13, remaining high until 13:00. After that, it starts to decline, returning to 11 at 14:00 and falling to 8 by 15:00. As the afternoon wanes, the index drops to 5 at 16:00, and finally settles back to 1 by 18:00 and 19:00. This data highlights the importance of sun safety measures during the midday hours when UV exposure is at its highest.
Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
---|---|---|---|
07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
09:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
10:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
11:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
12:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
13:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
14:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
15:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
16:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
17:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index shows significant seasonal variation, with the highest levels occurring from February to September. The most critical months for UV exposure are February, March, April, May, July, and August, where the UV Index consistently reaches extreme levels (above 11) with a burn time as short as 10 minutes. Visitors and residents should take precautions during these high-risk months by seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying broad-spectrum sunscreen frequently. As the year progresses into the later months, while the UV Index decreases slightly, it is still advisable to remain vigilant, especially in November and December when the UV levels are at very high (9) and high (8), respectively, as 15-minute burn times can still pose a risk.
UV Risk Categories
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rio Grande | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 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 |