UV Index in La Union, El Salvador

Last updated: June 2, 2025

In La Union, El Salvador, awareness of the UV Index is crucial for maintaining optimal skin health and preventing sunburn. The UV Index indicates the strength of sun’s ultraviolet radiation, and understanding it helps you take necessary precautions. With a tropical climate characterized by high UV exposure, especially during midday when the UV Index spikes to a critical level of 14 at noon, it’s vital for residents and visitors alike to protect their skin, enjoying the sun safely while minimizing risks of sun damage. By staying informed about daily UV levels, you can make smarter decisions about outdoor activities and sun protection strategies.

Hourly UV Index in La Union

The UV Index trend throughout the day reveals a striking peak during midday hours, urging caution for outdoor enthusiasts. Starting modestly at 2 at 07:00, the index rapidly climbs, reaching a significant 14 by 12:00, making this the most critical time for sun exposure. Even as the clock ticks towards the afternoon, the UV levels remain high, peaking at 13 at 11:00 and 12:00, before gradually declining to 5 by 15:00. As the day winds down, the index drops to 3 at 16:00, then tapering off to 1 by the evening hours. For those venturing outside, it's essential to protect your skin between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, when the sun's rays are most intense.

Average solar exposure data for the current time of the year. Actual values may vary and depend on many factors, such as cloud cover, vegetation cover, surface type, etc.
Time	UVI	Category	Time to Burn
07:00	2	low	45 min
08:00	4	moderate	30 min
09:00	8	very high	15 min
10:00	11	extreme	10 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	5	moderate	30 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

Monthly UV Index Trends in La Union

The UV Index experiences significant seasonal variations, peaking during the spring and summer months. From January to April, the index starts at 10 and rises to 14 by March and remains at that level through June, indicating an extreme exposure category with a burn time as short as 10 minutes. The highest risk months are from February to June, when the UV levels are particularly critical. July to September see a slight decrease to 13, yet they still maintain an extreme exposure rating. As the year transitions to October, the index remains steady at 13, dropping to 10 in November and 9 by December, marking a return to a very high exposure category. To protect themselves from harmful UV radiation, it is advised for visitors and residents to wear sunscreen, seek shade, and wear protective clothing, especially during the high-risk months of February through June.

Monthly Maximum UV Index for La Union, El Salvador

The monthly maximum UV Index (UVI) represents the highest UV radiation level recorded each month in La Union. It measures the strength of ultraviolet radiation from the sun and helps assess the risk of sunburn and UV-related health issues.

Data source: Statistical UV Index data for La Union, based on information from the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

UV Risk Categories

Extreme (11+): Avoid the sun, stay in shade.
Very High (8-10): Limit sun exposure.
High (6-7): Use SPF 30+ and protective clothing.
Moderate (3-5): Midday shade recommended.
Low (0-2): No protection needed.

Compare La Union UV Index with Other El Salvador Cities

The table above highlights how UV exposure in La Union compares to other major locations across El Salvador. This comparison helps travelers and residents better understand regional sun intensity and plan outdoor activities with sun safety in mind.

La Union's solar exposure compared to other cities in El Salvador. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information.
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
La Union	10	12	14	14	14	14	13	13	13	13	10	9
Mejicanos UVI	11	12	14	14	14	14	13	13	13	13	10	9
Soyapango UVI	11	12	14	14	14	14	13	13	13	13	10	9
San Salvador UVI	11	12	14	14	14	14	13	13	13	13	10	9
San Miguel UVI	11	12	14	14	14	14	13	13	13	13	10	9
Santa Ana UVI	11	13	14	14	14	14	14	13	13	13	10	9