Last updated: August 1, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Cedros, Mexico, where the tropical climate brings intense sun exposure nearly year-round. Being aware of the UV levels helps you protect your skin from harmful rays, preventing sunburns and long-term skin health issues. With UV Index peaks soaring as high as 14 during midday hours, Cedros presents significant risks that warrant vigilance. Embracing awareness of these UV levels not only enhances your outdoor enjoyment but also safeguards your health against the powerful sun.
The UV Index throughout the day showcases a significant increase in sun intensity, peaking at 14 around 1 PM and 2 PM. Starting off the morning, the index remains low, with values of 1 at 7 AM and 8 AM, gradually climbing to 2 by 9 AM. A noticeable surge occurs as the sun reaches its zenith, hitting 5 by 10 AM and soaring to 8 at 11 AM. As noon approaches, UV levels escalate to a striking 11, indicating a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Moving into the afternoon, the index slightly dips but remains elevated, measuring 13 at 3 PM. As the sun begins to set, the UV Index decreases, falling to 6 by 5 PM, before settling back down to 1 by the evening hours, reminding us to be vigilant during peak sun exposure times.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 14 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 16:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 17:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 18:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index exhibits seasonal variations, with the highest risks primarily occurring between February and October. February marks the onset of high UV levels, peaking in April through August when the index reaches 14 and falls into the extreme exposure category, signifying a burn time of just 10 minutes. As a result, March to September are critical months for sun safety. November returns to a lower UV Index of 9, categorized as very high, and in December, the index drops further to 7 with a high exposure classification, allowing for a slightly longer burn time of 25 minutes. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take protective measures during the high-risk months—such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade-to minimize the threat of sunburn and long-term skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedros | 8 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 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 |