Last updated: May 3, 2025
In San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, understanding the UV Index is essential for safeguarding your skin against harmful ultraviolet rays. The UV Index provides a daily forecast of sun exposure levels, helping you make informed decisions to prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage. With a tropical Aw climate, San Cristobal experiences high UV levels, especially between 10 AM and 2 PM, when the index peaks at 13. Being aware of these fluctuations allows residents and visitors alike to take necessary precautions during peak hours, ensuring a healthier and more enjoyable outdoor experience.
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 experiences significant seasonal fluctuations, with the highest levels occurring from February to September. During these months, the UV Index reaches extreme levels of 11 to 13, resulting in a critical burn time of just 10 minutes—indicating a heightened risk for sunburn and skin damage. January, November, and December still present very high UV levels (9 and 8), but with a slightly longer burn time of 15 minutes. Visitors and residents are advised to take precautionary measures during high UV months by wearing protective clothing, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, and seeking shade during peak sunlight hours to minimize the risk of harmful exposure. Stay vigilant and prioritize skin safety year-round!
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santiago de los Caballeros UVI | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 8 |
| San Cristobal | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 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 |