Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Villa Altagracia, Dominican Republic, where the sun's rays can be particularly intense. Awareness of UV levels not only aids in preventing painful sunburns but also plays a significant role in maintaining long-term skin health. With a tropical climate characterized by high UV exposure, especially between late morning and early afternoon when indices can surge to a maximum of 14, it's vital to stay informed and take protective measures. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, you can enjoy the beautiful outdoor lifestyle that Villa Altagracia offers while safeguarding your skin against the harmful effects of overexposure to sunlight.
At dawn, the UV Index is low, starting at just 1 at 07:00. As the sun rises higher, things heat up quickly—by 09:00, it jumps to 5, indicating it’s time to think about sun protection. The intensity peaks dramatically around 12:00 with an impressive 14, remaining at that high level until 14:00. After that, there's a gradual decline, with the index falling to 8 by 15:00 and tapering off to 1 by evening. For safety, it's essential to avoid prolonged sun exposure during the midday hours, especially when the UV Index hits its highest levels between 11:00 and 13:00.
| 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 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 14 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 14 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 12 | 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 |
The UV Index experiences significant seasonal variations, peaking from February to October with particularly high levels from March to October where it reaches extreme levels of 13 to 14, indicating a burn time of just 10 minutes. Notably, the highest UV Index values occur in March, April, and May. As the year progresses towards winter, the UV Index drops, with January and November marking very high exposure levels (UV Index 9) and longer burn times of 15 minutes, while December shows a slight decline to 8. For both residents and visitors, it is crucial to take preventive measures against UV exposure, especially during the high-risk months of February through October, by wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen regularly, and seeking shade during peak sunlight hours to minimize the risk of skin damage.
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 |
| 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 |
| Villa Altagracia | 9 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 8 |