UV Index in Santa Elena, Mexico

Last updated: May 3, 2025

Understanding the UV Index in Santa Elena, Mexico is crucial for protecting your skin and maintaining overall health. As the sun shines brightly in this BWh climate, daily UV levels can escalate, peaking at a staggering 11 during lunchtime, indicating an extreme risk for sunburn. Awareness of these UV levels is essential—not just for preventing painful sunburns but also for reducing the long-term risks of skin damage and skin cancer. With Santa Elena's sunny disposition year-round, knowing when to seek shade or apply sunscreen can make all the difference in your outdoor adventures. Stay informed, stay protected!

Hourly UV Index in Santa Elena

The UV Index throughout the day presents a striking pattern of escalating intensity. Starting off gently at 1 in the early hours of 07:00 and 08:00, the index begins to rise gradually, hitting 2 by 09:00. A rapid surge follows, peaking at an intense 13 between 13:00 and 14:00. This is the moment when the sun’s rays are most potent, with a risky 11 at 12:00 and a notable 12 by 15:00. As the afternoon begins to wane, the UV index drops, settling back to a manageable 6 by 17:00, and later retreating to 3 and 1 as night falls. Stay safe and protect your skin during the 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	1	low	45 min
09:00	2	low	45 min
10:00	5	moderate	30 min
11:00	8	very high	15 min
12:00	11	extreme	10 min
13:00	13	extreme	10 min
14:00	13	extreme	10 min
15:00	12	extreme	10 min
16:00	9	very high	15 min
17:00	6	high	25 min
18:00	3	moderate	30 min
19:00	1	low	45 min

Monthly UV Index Trends in Santa Elena

As the seasons change, so does the UV Index, highlighting significant variations in sun exposure risk throughout the year. The high-risk months are prominently from February to October, with peaks in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, and October all classified under the extreme category, where the burn time is notably only 10 minutes. This makes February the first month with a very high category, and November sees a reduction to very high as well, while January and December present a high risk with extended burn times of 25 minutes. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautions during the peak months by wearing protective clothing, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, and seeking shade to minimize exposure, especially during midday when the sun's strength is at its highest.

Monthly Maximum UV Index for Santa Elena, Mexico

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

The table above highlights how UV exposure in Santa Elena 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 Elena'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 Elena	7	10	12	13	13	13	13	13	13	11	8	7
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