UV Index in Santo Tomas La Union, Guatemala

Last updated: June 2, 2025

Understanding the UV Index in Santo Tomas La Union, Guatemala, is crucial for safeguarding your skin and promoting overall health. As the sun's intensity peaks, particularly during the midday hours, awareness of UV levels can aid in preventing sunburn and long-term skin damage. This region, characterized by a tropical highland climate (Cwb), presents unique UV exposure risks, especially in the late morning to early afternoon when the index reaches alarming levels of 11 to 14. By keeping track of the UV Index, residents and visitors alike can enjoy the beautiful surroundings while protecting their skin from harmful rays.

Hourly UV Index in Santo Tomas La Union

At dawn, the UV Index begins its climb, starting at a low 1 by 7:00 AM. As the day progresses, it swiftly escalates, reaching a peak of 14 by 12:00 PM, indicating a strong potential for skin damage without protection. The height of the sun brings a scorching 13 at 1:00 PM, followed by a slight dip to 10 by 2:00 PM. As afternoon fades into evening, the UV Index drops significantly, plummeting to 3 by 4:00 PM and settling back to a minimal 1 by 7:00 PM. The day's UV journey reflects the sun's relentless power, reminding us of the importance of safeguarding our skin during peak hours!

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	1	low	45 min
08:00	4	moderate	30 min
09:00	7	high	25 min
10:00	11	extreme	10 min
11:00	13	extreme	10 min
12:00	14	extreme	10 min
13:00	13	extreme	10 min
14:00	10	very high	15 min
15:00	7	high	25 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 Santo Tomas La Union

The UV Index in the region shows a marked seasonal increase from January through April, peaking at 15 in April, indicating an extreme exposure category with a burn time of only 10 minutes. From May to October, the index remains high at 14, continuing the extreme exposure risk. High-risk months for UV exposure are March through October, where visitors and residents should take precautionary measures as all fall within the extreme category. In November, the UV Index drops slightly to 11, and to 9 in December, categorizing the exposure as very high but with a slightly longer burn time of 15 minutes. It is strongly advised that individuals employ protective measures, such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade, particularly during these high-risk months to minimize the risk of skin damage.

Monthly Maximum UV Index for Santo Tomas La Union, Guatemala

The monthly maximum UV Index (UVI) represents the highest UV radiation level recorded each month in Santo Tomas 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 Santo Tomas 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 Santo Tomas La Union UV Index with Other Guatemala Cities

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

Santo Tomas La Union's solar exposure compared to other cities in Guatemala. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information.
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Petapa UVI	11	13	14	15	14	14	14	14	14	13	10	10
Villa Nueva UVI	11	13	14	15	14	14	14	14	14	13	10	10
Santo Tomas La Union	11	13	14	15	14	14	14	14	14	13	11	9
Mixco UVI	11	13	15	15	14	14	14	14	14	13	11	10
Guatemala City UVI	11	13	15	15	14	14	14	14	14	13	11	10
San Juan Sacatepequez UVI	11	13	15	15	14	14	15	14	14	13	11	10