Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in San Cristobal, Peru, where the climate can lead to significant sun exposure risks. With UV levels peaking as high as 11 during midday, awareness of these values becomes essential for effective sunburn prevention and overall skin health. The ET climate zone in San Cristobal often results in intense sunlight, making it imperative to monitor UV levels throughout the day. By staying informed, you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings while protecting yourself from harmful UV radiation. Remember: awareness is your first line of defense against sun damage!
The UV Index for the day shows a notable peak at 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM, where it reaches a high of 11, indicating extreme exposure risk. As the sun rises, the index gradually climbs, starting from a mild 1 at 7:00 AM to 5 by 9:00 AM. The intensity of UV radiation peaks sharply at 10:00 AM with a value of 9, before hitting the critical threshold at midday. Following the noontime high, there’s a gradual decline, dropping to 7 by 2:00 PM and then tapering off to 4 at 3:00 PM, and eventually falling back to 1 by 4:00 PM. The UV exposure significantly lessens after 5:00 PM, with 0 recorded from 6:00 PM onward. When planning outdoor activities, it’s essential to take precautions during peak hours to safeguard your skin!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 9 | 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 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV Index levels demonstrate significant fluctuations, with extreme exposure categories prevalent during the winter and spring months. From January to April, the index remains consistently high, peaking at 19 in February, indicating a burn time of just 10 minutes. These months are classified as high-risk, requiring heightened sun protection measures. May sees a slight decrease to a UV Index of 12, transitioning to a very high category in June at 10 before returning to extreme levels in July through September. Interestingly, the fall months of October and November maintain similar extreme indices of 18. Residents and visitors are strongly advised to prioritize sun safety, utilizing sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and limiting sun exposure, especially during the high-risk months between January and April.
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 |
| Arequipa UVI | 18 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 |
| San Cristobal | 18 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 |