Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where the sun shines brightly throughout the year. Knowledge of UV levels plays a vital role in sunburn prevention and maintaining skin health, especially during peak hours when the index can soar to 14 around noon. With a BSk climate that boasts warm, dry summers, San Miguel de Allende sees significant UV exposure risks, making awareness of the UV Index essential for outdoor activities. Stay informed to enjoy the beautiful landscapes while protecting your skin!
As the sun rises, the UV Index starts low, peaking at 1 during the early hours of 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM. However, by 10:00 AM, there’s a notable surge, with the index climbing to 5. The real intensity arrives around 12:00 PM, where it hits an impressive 12, followed by a peak of 14 at both 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM. As the afternoon progresses, the index begins its descent, dropping to 10 by 4:00 PM and further declining to 6 at 5:00 PM. Finally, as the sun sets, the UV Index wanes back to 1 by 7:00 PM, signaling a day of strong sun exposure that necessitated precautions during the peak hours.
| 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 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 14 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 14 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 13 | 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 experiences significant fluctuations throughout the year, peaking during the months of March to October, where values consistently reach a high level of 14 or 15, classified as extreme exposure. Notably, February to May sees the most critical UV levels, with March and April recording the highest at 14 and 15 respectively, leading to a rapid burn time of just 10 minutes. As we transition into winter, months like November and December show a decline, but values remain elevated with UV indices of 9 and 8, resulting in very high exposure and burn times of 15 minutes. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautions, especially from February through October, by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak hours to minimize risk of skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guadalajara UVI | 9 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 8 |
| San Miguel de Allende | 9 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 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 |