Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors of San Rafael, Mexico, especially given its Cwa climate which often leads to intense sunlight exposure. Awareness of UV levels helps prevent sunburn and promotes long-term skin health. With peak indices soaring to 13 during midday hours, it's vital to recognize the risks associated with high UV exposure to safeguard your skin. Whether you're enjoying outdoor activities or simply soaking up the sun, keeping an eye on the UV Index can make all the difference in maintaining your health and well-being in this beautiful region.
The UV Index today tells a compelling story of sun exposure throughout the day. Early morning hours, from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, start off gentle with a low index of 1, slowly making way for more intensity as we approach 10:00 AM, where it rises to 5. The heat peaks dramatically at noon, with an impressive 12, followed closely by 1 PM and 2 PM, both hitting a maximum of 13. After this blistering stretch, the midday sun begins to mellow, dropping to 11 by 3 PM, and tapering down to 8 by 4 PM. As the sun sets, the UV Index declines gracefully, falling back to 3 by 6 PM and returning to a tranquil 1 by 7 PM. Don't forget your sunscreen during those 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 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 16:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 17:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV exposure varies significantly, with the high-risk months occurring from March to October when the UV Index reaches extreme levels, peaking at 14 in May, July, and August. During these months, individuals are at highest risk for sunburn, with a burn time of just 10 minutes. Conversely, although January and February show a very high UV Index of 8 and 10 respectively, the burn time remains relatively short at 15 minutes. As the year progresses into November and December, the risk decreases, with a drop to a UV Index of 9 and 7, allowing for longer exposure times of 15 and 25 minutes before burning occurs. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautionary measures, especially during the peak summer months by using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade to minimize UV exposure and protect skin health.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Rafael | 8 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 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 |