Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Zacalaca, Mexico, understanding the UV Index is essential for protecting your skin from harmful sun exposure. With peak UV levels soaring as high as 14 around midday, it’s crucial to be aware of how these figures can impact your health, particularly when it comes to preventing sunburn and ensuring long-term skin health. The warm Aw climate of Zacalaca means that UV rays can be intense, even outside of summer months. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, residents and visitors can enjoy the beautiful outdoors while taking the necessary precautions to safeguard against excessive UV exposure.
The UV Index today showcases a dynamic journey through the hours, beginning with a gentle rise at 07:00 with a safe level of 1. As the sun climbs higher, a noticeable increase brings the index to 4 by 09:00, before peaking at an intense 14 around 13:00. This midday high of 13 is particularly important, signaling a period of significant UV radiation where protective measures are advisable. As the afternoon progresses, the index starts to dip, dropping to 6 by 16:00 and stabilizing at a comfortable 1 by 18:00. This hourly pattern highlights the importance of staying sun-safe during the intensity of the midday sun, while enjoying lower UV levels later in the day.
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 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
11:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
12:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
13:00 | 14 | extreme | 10 min |
14:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
15:00 | 9 | 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 |
The UV Index shows significant seasonal variation, with high-risk months occurring from March through October where extreme levels dominate, peaking at 14 in June. Visitors and residents should be particularly cautious during these months, where the burn time is as low as 10 minutes under strong sun conditions. In contrast, the UV Index is lower in the winter months, dropping to 8 in January and decreasing to 7 in December, with slightly longer burn times of 15 to 25 minutes. To protect against harmful UV exposure, it is advisable to wear protective clothing, seek shade, and apply broad-spectrum sunscreen regularly, especially from late morning to mid-afternoon during peak UV times.
UV Risk Categories
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zacalaca | 8 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 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 |