Last updated: August 1, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in San Mateo, Philippines is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health in this tropical climate. With peak levels soaring as high as 13 around noon, awareness of UV exposure is vital for preventing sunburn and long-term skin damage. As a region characterized by its warm temperatures and considerable sunlight, San Mateo presents unique challenges when it comes to UV safety. By monitoring UV levels throughout the day, you can take proactive steps to safeguard your skin while enjoying the beautiful outdoors.
The UV Index throughout the day follows a striking pattern, peaking sharply at 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM with a maximum value of 13. As the day begins, the UV levels are quite low, starting at 1 at 7:00 AM, gradually climbing to a moderate 4 by 8:00 AM. As 9:00 AM rolls around, the intensity escalates to 7, and by 10:00 AM, it reaches a strong 10. The intensity of UV radiation continues to soar, urging caution as it peaks at the midday hours. Following the zenith, the UV index gently descends, dropping to 9 at 2:00 PM and tapering downwards to 6 by 3:00 PM, before winding down to a mere 1 by 5:00 PM and 0 by 7:00 PM. This highlights the importance of sun protection during the peak hours, particularly between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 11:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 14 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index displays significant seasonal variation, with the highest values occurring from January to September, where it consistently ranks as extreme with an index ranging from 11 to 15 and a rapid burn time of only 10 minutes. The months of March and April boast the peak UV Index of 15, indicating the highest risk for sunburn. Following this, the months of November and December show a slight decrease to a very high category with an index of 10 and a longer burn time of 15 minutes. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautions during the high-risk months, particularly from January through September, by seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen regularly to minimize the risk of harmful UV exposure.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Mateo | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 10 |
| Caloocan City UVI | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 10 |
| Quezon City UVI | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 10 |
| Manila UVI | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 10 |
| Budta UVI | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 |
| Davao UVI | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 |