Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is essential for residents and visitors of Sandy Bay, Honduras, where the tropical climate can lead to significant sun exposure. With UV levels peaking during midday, awareness is crucial for protecting skin health and preventing painful sunburns. As you plan your day under the bright sun, remember that Sandy Bay experiences high ultraviolet radiation, especially between 10 AM and 1 PM when the UV Index reaches levels of 10 to 13. Taking the time to understand these levels can empower you to enjoy the sun safely and make informed decisions about sun protection.
The UV Index throughout the day showcases a dynamic rise and fall, reflecting the sun's intensity. Starting at a mild 2 by 7:00 AM, it gains momentum, reaching a moderate 4 at 8:00 AM. By 9:00 AM, the UV Index peaks to a 7, and then surges to a striking 10 by 10:00 AM. The midday sun is relentless, pushing the index to a maximum of 13 at both 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM. As the afternoon unfolds, there is a gradual decline; it drops to 12 at 1:00 PM, further decreasing to 9 by 2:00 PM. The late afternoon sees the UV Index easing to 5 at 3:00 PM, before trailing off into the evening with a gentle 3 at 4:00 PM. As twilight approaches, the index tapers down to 1 by 5:00 PM and remains at this level until 7:00 PM, finally hitting 0 by 8:00 PM. Stay protected during those peak hours!
Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
---|---|---|---|
07:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
08:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
09:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
10:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
11:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
12:00 | 13 | 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 |
Throughout the year, UV levels fluctuate significantly, peaking during the spring and summer months. January kicks off with a UV Index of 10 (very high), followed closely by February at 11 (extreme), and escalating to a maximum of 14 in April. The high-risk months for skin exposure are from February to October, where the index remains at 11 to 14 and burn time is drastically reduced to just 10 minutes for those months. This pattern stabilizes in November and December, seeing an improvement to 9 and 8, respectively, both categorized as very high but allowing for a longer burn time of 15 minutes. Residents and visitors should take precautionary measures during peak UV periods, such as wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen regularly, and limiting sun exposure during midday hours to safeguard against harmful effects.
UV Risk Categories
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sandy Bay | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 8 |
Choloma UVI | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 9 |
San Pedro Sula UVI | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 9 |
El Progreso UVI | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 9 |
La Ceiba UVI | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 9 |
Tegucigalpa UVI | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 10 |