Last updated: July 2, 2025
In El Refugio, Mexico, staying informed about the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health. The UV Index measures the strength of ultraviolet radiation, helping residents and visitors alike understand the potential for sunburn and longer-term skin damage. Given El Refugio's Cwa climate, characterized by warm summers and moderate winters, it's essential to pay attention to daily UV levels, particularly during peak hours when values can soar to 13 around noon. By being mindful of the UV Index, you can take proactive steps to enjoy the sun safely while minimizing your exposure to harmful rays.
The UV index throughout the day reveals a dynamic pattern, starting from a low 0 at 7:00 AM and gradually climbing as the sun rises. By 10:00 AM, it reaches 4, signaling the start of potential sun sensitivity. As noon approaches, the intensity peaks dramatically at 12:00 PM with a UV index of 10, which is considered very high, urging outdoor enthusiasts to take protective measures. The afternoon hours continue to show significant UV levels, with a maximum of 13 at 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM, before slowly tapering off in the later afternoon and evening, dropping back to 1 by 7:00 PM. This data emphasizes the importance of sun safety, especially during the midday hours when UV exposure poses the greatest risk.
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 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
17:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
18:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index exhibits significant seasonal variations, peaking during the spring and summer months. From February through August, the UV Index consistently reaches extreme levels (11-14), with the highest values recorded in March, April, May, and August. Notably, October also remains at an extreme level (12), indicating potential for harmful UV exposure. The high-risk months for UV exposure are thus identified as February through August, where the advised burn time is only 10 minutes. In contrast, January, November, and December present lower UV levels (with indices of 9 and 8), classified as very high, allowing for a slightly longer exposure time of 15 minutes. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take protective measures, such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak UV hours, particularly from late winter through summer.
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 |
El Refugio | 9 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 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 |