Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is essential for residents and visitors in San Carlitos, Panama, a region known for its tropical climate and high levels of sunlight exposure. With UV levels rising significantly throughout the day, especially peaking at a severe 13 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM, being informed about these ratings can aid in sunburn prevention and promote long-term skin health. Awareness of the UV Index is crucial in this sunny locale, helping individuals take necessary precautions to avoid skin damage and enjoy the outdoors safely. Through simple measures such as sunscreen application and seeking shade, everyone can make the most of the beautiful Panamanian sun while protecting their skin.
As the sun rises, the UV Index (UVI) begins at a mild 1 at 7:00 AM, gradually climbing to 2 by 8:00 AM. Things heat up significantly by 9:00 AM, reaching a 5, but the real intensity kicks in as the clock strikes 10:00 AM, soaring to a striking 9. The peak of the day arrives around 12:00 PM, where it reaches a blistering 13, sustained until 1:00 PM. After this peak, the UVI starts to decline steadily, dropping to an 8 by 3:00 PM, and then tapering off to calmer levels: 4 at 4:00 PM, 2 by 5:00 PM, and finally winding down to just 1 at 6:00 PM. By 7:00 PM, the UV threat vanishes entirely, settling at 0. This dynamic timeline reminds us to protect our skin during the midday hours when UV exposure is at its highest.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index remains extremely high, with values peaking at 15 in April and experiencing little fluctuation between 12 and 14 from January to October. The high-risk months appear to be from March to October, during which the UV Index consistently maintains a level that requires serious sun protection measures, as the recommended burn time is just 10 minutes across all months. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to wear protective clothing, apply broad-spectrum sunscreen regularly, and seek shade when outdoors, particularly during these months, to reduce the risk of harmful skin exposure to UV radiation. Regular monitoring of UV index levels is also recommended when planning outdoor activities.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arraijan UVI | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
| Juan Diaz UVI | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
| San Miguelito UVI | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
| Panama UVI | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
| San Carlitos | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 |
| David UVI | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 |