Last updated: May 3, 2025
In the beautiful region of Usumacinta, Mexico, understanding the UV Index is essential for safeguarding your skin and overall health. With UV levels soaring as high as 13 during peak hours, awareness of these fluctuations is crucial to prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage. The tropical climate here means residents and visitors alike should be vigilant against the sun's rays, particularly between 10 AM and 2 PM when the risk is at its highest. By staying informed about the UV Index, you can enjoy the stunning outdoors while protecting yourself from harmful exposure.
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 |
The UV Index experiences significant variations throughout the year, reaching its peak during the spring and summer months. From January to April, the UV levels start at 9 and escalate to 14 by April, indicating an extreme exposure category with a rapid decrease in burn time to just 10 minutes. This high-risk period continues through May to October, where the UV Index remains at 12 to 13, maintaining the extreme classification and a burn time of 10 minutes. In November and December, the UV Index decreases to 9 and 8 respectively, categorized as very high, with burn times extending to 15 minutes. Visitors and residents should take proactive measures, especially from February to October, by wearing protective clothing, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, and seeking shade during peak hours to minimize the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Usumacinta | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 8 |
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 |