Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Santa Maria Ocotlan, Mexico, where the sun shines brightly in a temperate climate. Being aware of UV levels not only helps prevent painful sunburns but also plays a significant role in maintaining skin health over the long term. With peak UV Index readings reaching as high as 15 during midday hours, it's essential to know when to take precautions. This awareness is particularly vital in Santa Maria Ocotlan, where the combination of altitude and sunny skies can lead to increased exposure risks, making sun safety a top priority for everyone.
The UV Index today began its ascent slowly in the early hours, reaching a modest peak of 1 at both 07:00 and 08:00. However, as the sun climbed higher, the intensity increased dramatically, hitting 3 by 09:00, then surging to 5 at 10:00. The afternoon brought the peak of the day, with the index soaring to an impressive 15 from 13:00 to 14:00—a clear reminder to embrace sun protection during these hours. Following this, the index began to wane, gently dropping back to 9 by 16:00, before tapering off to 5 at 17:00 and subsequently falling to 2 by 18:00 and 1 as night approached. Such fluctuations highlight the importance of staying vigilant about sun exposure, especially during peak hours!
| 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 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 15 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 15 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 16:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 17:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index displays a consistent pattern of extreme levels from January to July, with values peaking at 15 in March through June. This indicates a significant risk for skin damage, with a minimal exposure burn time of just 10 minutes throughout these months. The intensity slightly decreases in August and September to 14, followed by a drop to 13 in October and 11 in November. December shows a further decline to a very high level of 9, allowing for a lengthened burn time of 15 minutes. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautionary measures, particularly during the high-risk months from January to October, by applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and limiting sun exposure during peak hours to maintain skin health and safety.
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 |
| Puebla UVI | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 9 |
| Santa Maria Ocotlan | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 9 |