UV Index in Santa Maria, Mexico

Last updated: May 3, 2025

In Santa Maria, Mexico, understanding the UV Index is crucial for maintaining skin health and preventing sunburn. With the region's BSh climate characterized by distinct sunny periods, knowing the UV levels can significantly reduce the risk of harmful skin exposure. For instance, during peak hours, the UV Index can soar to 14, indicating extremely high levels of ultraviolet radiation. By actively tracking UV Index readings, residents and visitors can take appropriate precautions to enjoy the beautiful Mexican sun safely, ensuring their skin stays protected while enjoying outdoor activities.

Hourly UV Index in Santa Maria

The UV Index throughout the day paints a vivid picture of the sun's intensity. Starting with a gentle 1 at 07:00, the index swiftly climbs, hitting 2 by 08:00 and then escalating to 4 by 09:00. The real surge occurs around 10:00, peaking at a striking 13 by 12:00—making this the most critical time for sun safety. As the afternoon progresses, the index reaches its zenith at 14:00 with an impressive 14, before gradually tapering off. By late afternoon, the UV Index drops to 6 at 16:00, eventually settling back to a low 1 by 19:00. This data underscores the importance of sun protection, especially during those high midday 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	2	low	45 min
09:00	4	moderate	30 min
10:00	7	high	25 min
11:00	11	extreme	10 min
12:00	13	extreme	10 min
13:00	14	extreme	10 min
14:00	12	extreme	10 min
15:00	10	very high	15 min
16:00	6	high	25 min
17:00	3	moderate	30 min
18:00	2	low	45 min
19:00	1	low	45 min

Monthly UV Index Trends in Santa Maria

Seasonal changes in UV exposure highlight key high-risk months, particularly from February to September, when UV Index levels reach 10 or higher, indicating very high to extreme risk. March and April peak with an extreme index of 11 to 13, resulting in a minimal burn time of just 10 minutes. As summer approaches, from May to August, the UV index remains consistently high, emphasizing the importance of sun protection. Visitors and residents should take proactive measures—such as wearing sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses, and seeking shade during peak hours—to minimize their risk of UV-related health issues, especially during these critical months. In contrast, UV exposure decreases significantly in October and December, providing some relief with lower levels.

Monthly Maximum UV Index for Santa Maria, Mexico

The monthly maximum UV Index (UVI) represents the highest UV radiation level recorded each month in Santa Maria. 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 Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria UV Index with Other Mexico Cities

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

Santa Maria's solar exposure compared to other cities in Mexico. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information.
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Santa Maria	7	10	11	13	14	13	13	13	12	10	8	6
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