Last updated: May 3, 2025
In Santa Barbara, Philippines, being aware of the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and ensuring overall health. The UV Index provides essential insight into the intensity of ultraviolet radiation, helping residents and visitors alike to take proactive measures against sunburn and long-term skin damage. With the local climate classified as Am, Santa Barbara often experiences elevated UV levels, particularly between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, where readings can soar up to 14. Understanding these UV levels not only aids in sun safety but also helps you enjoy the beauty of this vibrant area while keeping your skin healthy and protected.
The UV Index throughout the day shows a significant rise, peaking dramatically between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM, when it reaches a maximum of 14. Early morning hours start off relatively mild, with a 2 at 7:00 AM, gradually climbing to 4 by 8:00 AM. As the sun rises higher, 9:00 AM sees a notable leap to 7, followed by an intense 10 at 10:00 AM. The 11:00 AM mark escalates to 13, making the midday sun a prime time for sun protection. After this peak, the index begins to decline, tapering to 12 at 1:00 PM, and descending through the afternoon to 6 by 3:00 PM. As evening approaches, the UV Index drops sharply, concluding at 0 by 7:00 PM. This data emphasizes the importance of UV awareness during peak hours.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 14 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 9 | 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 |
Throughout the year, the UV Index remains extremely high, particularly from January to September, with values consistently peaking at 14. This indicates that the risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure is significant, with a quick burn time of just 10 minutes during these months, particularly in March, April, June, July, and August. February and May follow closely behind with an index of 13, maintaining the extreme category. As the year progresses into the fall and winter months, the UV Index begins to decline slightly, with November and December recording indices of 10 and 9, respectively, which are categorized as very high, allowing for a slightly extended burn time of 15 minutes. Residents and visitors are advised to take precautions during all months, especially when UV exposure is highest, by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and limiting sun exposure during peak hours to minimize the risk of skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 9 |
| 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 |