Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Buenos Aires, Mexico, where the sun's rays can be deceptively powerful. With its BSk climate, this vibrant city experiences significant UV exposure, especially during the peak hours when the index can soar to a maximum of 11 around noon. Being aware of UV levels not only helps in preventing painful sunburns but also plays a vital role in maintaining long-term skin health. As you navigate Buenos Aires, keeping an eye on the UV Index can empower you to enjoy the outdoors safely while protecting your skin from potential damage.
Throughout the day, the UV Index experiences a dramatic increase, peaking at 11 between noon and 1 PM, indicating a very high level of solar radiation. Early risers will notice a gentle start, with a UV Index of just 1 at 7 AM, gradually climbing to 4 by 9 AM. As the sun reaches its zenith, values soar to 9 at 11 AM, signaling it's time to take precautions. After the peak, the UV Index begins to decline, dropping to 10 at 2 PM, then tapering off to 3 by 5 PM and resting back down to 1 by 6 PM. Staying protected in the midday sun is crucial for skin safety during these hours!
Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
---|---|---|---|
07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
09:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
10:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
11:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
13:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
14:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
15:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
16:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
17:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index experiences significant seasonal variations, peaking during the summer months. High-risk months for UV exposure are from May to August, when the UV Index consistently reaches levels categorized as extreme (11), indicating a burn time as short as 10 minutes. March and April also present high risks with very high indexes (8 and 10), where the burn time drops to 15 minutes. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take protective measures during these months, such as wearing sunscreen, sunglasses, and protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak sun hours to minimize the risk of skin damage. As fall approaches, the risk decreases, with October seeing a high category (UV Index 7) but burn times lengthening to 25 minutes.
UV Risk Categories
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buenos Aires | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
Guadalajara UVI | 9 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 8 |
Iztapalapa UVI | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 |
Ecatepec de Morelos UVI | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 |
Mexico City UVI | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 |
Puebla UVI | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 9 |