Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Santa Monica, Mexico is crucial for anyone enjoying the sun-drenched shores of this beautiful coastal town. The UV index provides a valuable gauge of the sun's strength and helps you make informed decisions to protect your skin from harmful UV radiation. With peak levels soaring as high as 15 during midday, awareness is key to preventing painful sunburns and promoting long-term skin health. Nestled in a Cwb climate zone, Santa Monica enjoys a warm and temperate environment, making it imperative to understand daily UV exposure risks to fully enjoy your time outdoors without compromising your skin safety.
The UV Index throughout the day showcases a significant rise in solar radiation, reaching its peak during the midday hours. Starting off the day at a comfortable level of 1 around 07:00 and 08:00, the index climbs steadily. By 09:00, it hits 3, but it’s from 10:00 onwards that the intensity becomes notable, jumping to 6. The 11:00 mark signals a surge to 10, and by 12:00, it reaches 13—indicative of strong UV exposure. The highest point occurs at 13:00 and 14:00, where it peaks at an intense 15, urging caution for outdoor enthusiasts. As the afternoon progresses, the index begins to decline, dropping to 12 by 15:00, 9 at 16:00, and continuing to decrease until it settles back at 1 by 19:00. This variation underscores the importance of sun safety, particularly during the midday hours when UV levels can be most harmful. Take care and protect yourself when the sun is at its strongest!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 15 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 15 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 16:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 17:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
During the year, seasonal UV changes show significant fluctuations, with highest UV levels occurring from February to October. This period includes several high-risk months for sun exposure, particularly from March to October, where the UV Index reaches extreme levels (14-15), with a burn time of just 10 minutes. Conversely, January, November, and December experience very high UV Index ratings (9-10), with longer burn times of 15 minutes. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take extra precautions during these high-risk months, including wearing protective clothing, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and seeking shade during peak hours to minimize the risk of UV-related harm.
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 |
| 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 |
| Santa Monica | 9 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 8 |
| Puebla UVI | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 9 |