Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Santa Teresa, Mexico, awareness of the UV Index is vital for enjoying the sun safely and maintaining optimal skin health. Understanding UV levels helps you prevent sunburn and protect against long-term skin damage, allowing you to make informed decisions about sun exposure. Nestled in a tropical climate, Santa Teresa experiences high UV levels, particularly around midday, where the index can soar to 13—a level that poses significant risks. With this knowledge, you can relish the beautiful beaches and vibrant sunsets while keeping your skin protected.
At dawn, the UV Index begins its gentle ascent, peaking at a mild 1 by 07:00. As the sun climbs higher, it rapidly intensifies, reaching a moderate 2 at 08:00 and surging to a substantial 4 by 09:00. The real heat kicks in at 10:00, where the index skyrockets to 7, indicating a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. This trend continues, peaking at an intense 13 at both 12:00 and 13:00, marking the day’s maximum risk. As the afternoon wanes, we see a gradual decline to 10 at 15:00 and further down to 6 by 16:00. By evening, the numbers drop dramatically, settling back to a safe 1 by 18:00 and maintaining that level until nightfall. This hourly progression illustrates the critical importance of sun safety during midday hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 17:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV exposure varies significantly, with the highest risk months occurring from February to October, where the UV Index consistently falls within the extreme range (11-14) for most of that period. During these months, minimal exposure times to sunlight can lead to skin damage, with recommended burn times as short as 10 minutes. Visitors and residents are advised to take precautionary measures during these peak months by wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen with high SPF, and seeking shade whenever possible. In contrast, November and December present lower risks, with UV indices dropping to very high and high, allowing for slightly longer exposure times of up to 25 minutes in December. Overall, staying vigilant about UV levels year-round is essential for skin health and safety.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Teresa | 8 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 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 |