Last updated: July 2, 2025
In California, Mexico, being aware of the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health. Understanding UV levels is essential, as higher indices indicate an increased risk of sunburn, skin damage, and long-term issues like skin cancer. With California's BWh climate, characterized by warm, dry summers, residents and visitors must be vigilant about UV exposure, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM when levels soar to peak highs of 13. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, you can take proactive steps to protect yourself and enjoy the beautiful California sun safely.
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins its ascent, starting at a cool 0 by 07:00 AM. By 08:00 AM, it nudges up to 1, a gentle reminder of the UV rays to come. The intensity escalates quickly, hitting 2 by 09:00 AM and reaching 4 at 10:00 AM. Peak intensity is felt at 12:00 PM when it soars to an impressive 10, and it climaxes at 13:00 PM with a formidable 13—elicit caution for sun exposure. As the afternoon unfolds, the index slowly declines, tapering to 12 at 15:00 PM, then 10 by 16:00 PM. The late hours offer some respite, as it decreases to 6 at 17:00 PM, before settling back to a manageable 3 by 18:00 PM and dropping to 1 as the day draws to a close at 19:00 PM. Be sure to take advantage of the earlier hours to enjoy sunshine safely! 🌞
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 16:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 17:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 18:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index exhibits significant seasonal variability, peaking during the warmer months. Notably, March through October marks a period of extreme UV exposure, with the highest readings occurring in April at an index of 14. The most critical months for sun exposure are February through October, where UV levels range from very high to extreme, with minimal safe burn times of just 10 minutes during the peak months. Visitors and residents are advised to take strong protective measures, such as applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak hours. In contrast, the winter months of January, November, and December present lower UV risks, with indices at 7 or 8 and safer burn times of 15-25 minutes. However, UV radiation can still be significant, so caution is recommended year-round.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 7 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 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 |