Last updated: May 3, 2025
Awareness of the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Santa Barbara, Peru, where the sun's intensity can pose significant risks to skin health. Understanding daily UV levels not only helps in preventing sunburn, but also plays a vital role in protecting against long-term skin damage and related health issues. With a BWh climate, Santa Barbara enjoys warm weather year-round, leading to peaks in UV exposure, particularly from 10 AM to 2 PM when the UV Index can reach a staggering 11. Stay informed and safeguard your skin by checking the UV Index frequently, especially during those sun-rich hours!
At 7:00 AM, the UV Index begins its climb with a gentle 1, slowly rising to 2 by 8:00 AM. As the sun gains strength, it peaks at an impressive 11 between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM, marking the height of midday intensity. Just after noon, the index slightly dips to 10 at 1:00 PM, then gradually falls through the afternoon—dropping to 4 by 3:00 PM. As the day wanes, the UV Index continues its descent, reaching 2 at 4:00 PM, and finally settling to 1 at 5:00 PM. By 6:00 PM, it's a safe 0, with no UV exposure anticipated for the evening. This pattern highlights the essential need for sun protection during midday hours when the UV levels are at their 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 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index shows significant seasonal variation, with extreme levels persisting from January to April and notable spikes returning in the fall months of September, October, and November. The high-risk months (with a UV Index of 15 or higher) are January through April and November, indicating a consistent risk for sunburn with a burn time as short as 10 minutes during these periods. Even in the summer months of June through August, options remain elevated but shift slightly to very high, allowing a slightly longer exposure of 15 minutes in June before returning to a 10-minute burn time. Visitors and residents should exercise caution, particularly during high UV Index periods, by wearing protective clothing, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, and seeking shade during peak hours to minimize skin damage and health risks.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Callao UVI | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
| Lima UVI | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
| Trujillo UVI | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| Chiclayo UVI | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
| Santa Barbara | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
| Arequipa UVI | 18 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 |