Last updated: June 2, 2025
In San Marcos, Honduras, staying informed about the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health. Understanding UV levels is essential not only for preventing sunburns but also for reducing long-term risks such as skin cancer and premature aging. With the region's aw (tropical savanna) climate, residents and visitors face significant UV exposure throughout the day, especially during peak hours around noon when the index can soar to a staggering 14. By becoming UV-aware, you can enjoy the vibrant sunshine of San Marcos while keeping your skin safe and healthy.
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins its climb, starting at a modest 2 at 07:00. By 09:00, it escalates to 8, signaling a peak in intensity by 12:00 with the maximum of 14. The afternoon sees a slight dip, but 13 remains strong at 13:00, before gradually decreasing throughout the late afternoon and evening. By 19:00, the UV Index drops to 0, marking the end of a sun-drenched day. It's essential to protect your skin during those peak hours, especially from 10:00 to 14:00 when UV levels are at their most intense!
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 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
14:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
15:00 | 6 | 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 |
Throughout the year, the UV Index experiences significant fluctuations, with extreme levels persisting from January to September, particularly peaking in March and April at an index of 15. The high-risk months are clearly defined from January to September, where the burn time is critically low at just 10 minutes. As the year progresses into November and December, UV levels drop slightly to very high, increasing the burn time to 15 minutes. It is crucial for both visitors and residents to take protective measures during these times, including wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade, especially during midday hours when the sunlight is most intense.
UV Risk Categories
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
San Marcos | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 9 |
Tegucigalpa UVI | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 10 |