UV Index in Santa Barbara, Mexico

Last updated: July 2, 2025

Understanding the UV Index in Santa Barbara, Mexico is crucial for protecting your skin and preventing sunburn. With its warm Cwa climate, this stunning coastal town can expose residents and visitors to varying levels of ultraviolet radiation throughout the day. As the midday sun reaches its peak with an alarming UV Index of 13, understanding these levels is key to safeguarding your skin health. Being aware of the UV index not only helps in planning outdoor activities but also in adopting necessary sun safety measures to enjoy the beautiful Santa Barbara scenery without the risks of harmful UV exposure.

Hourly UV Index in Santa Barbara

As the sun rises, the UV Index begins at a gentle 1 at 07:00, gradually climbing as the day unfolds. By 10:00, it reaches a moderate 5, signaling outdoor enthusiasts to take note. The peak of the day arrives at 12:00 with a blistering 11, quickly followed by an even more intense 13 at 13:00 and 14:00. As afternoon wanes, the UV levels dip, dropping to 9 by 16:00 and further to 5 by 17:00. The evening sees a gentle decline, with the index falling back to 3 at 18:00 and concluding the day at a safe 1 by 19:00. It's crucial to protect your skin during those peak hours!

Average solar exposure data for the current time of the year. Actual values may vary and depend on many factors, such as cloud cover, vegetation cover, surface type, etc.
Time	UVI	Category	Time to Burn
07:00	1	low	45 min
08:00	1	low	45 min
09:00	2	low	45 min
10:00	5	moderate	30 min
11:00	8	very high	15 min
12:00	11	extreme	10 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	5	moderate	30 min
18:00	3	moderate	30 min
19:00	1	low	45 min

Monthly UV Index Trends in Santa Barbara

Throughout the year, UV exposure levels show significant variation, with the highest UV Index readings occurring from March to October, indicating extreme conditions and particularly high-risk months for sunburn. The peak UV Index reaches 13 during April, June, July, August, and September, where the burn time is as short as 10 minutes. In contrast, January, November, and December present high to very high exposure categories but still require caution, especially in February with a UV Index of 10. Visitors and residents should take preventive measures during these high-risk months, such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and sunglasses, to minimize the risk of skin damage from UV radiation.

Monthly Maximum UV Index for Santa Barbara, Mexico

The monthly maximum UV Index (UVI) represents the highest UV radiation level recorded each month in Santa Barbara. It measures the strength of ultraviolet radiation from the sun and helps assess the risk of sunburn and UV-related health issues.

Data source: Statistical UV Index data for Santa Barbara, based on information from the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

UV Risk Categories

Extreme (11+): Avoid the sun, stay in shade.
Very High (8-10): Limit sun exposure.
High (6-7): Use SPF 30+ and protective clothing.
Moderate (3-5): Midday shade recommended.
Low (0-2): No protection needed.

Compare Santa Barbara UV Index with Other Mexico Cities

The table above highlights how UV exposure in Santa Barbara compares to other major locations across Mexico. This comparison helps travelers and residents better understand regional sun intensity and plan outdoor activities with sun safety in mind.

Santa Barbara's solar exposure compared to other cities in Mexico. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information.
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Santa Barbara	7	10	12	13	12	13	13	13	12	11	8	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