Last updated: May 3, 2025
In Santa Cruz, Philippines, awareness of the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin from harmful radiation. With the region's tropical climate, understanding UV levels can help prevent painful sunburn and long-term skin damage. During peak hours, especially between 10 AM and 2 PM, the UV Index often reaches extreme levels of 10 to 13, making it vital to take precautions. By staying informed about the UV Index, you can enjoy the beautiful sun-soaked days of Santa Cruz while prioritizing your skin health and safety.
The UV Index throughout the day showcases a dynamic rise and fall, reflecting the sun's intensity. Starting at a mild 2 by 7:00 AM, it gains momentum, reaching a moderate 4 at 8:00 AM. By 9:00 AM, the UV Index peaks to a 7, and then surges to a striking 10 by 10:00 AM. The midday sun is relentless, pushing the index to a maximum of 13 at both 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM. As the afternoon unfolds, there is a gradual decline; it drops to 12 at 1:00 PM, further decreasing to 9 by 2:00 PM. The late afternoon sees the UV Index easing to 5 at 3:00 PM, before trailing off into the evening with a gentle 3 at 4:00 PM. As twilight approaches, the index tapers down to 1 by 5:00 PM and remains at this level until 7:00 PM, finally hitting 0 by 8:00 PM. Stay protected during those 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 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 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 experiences significant variation throughout the year, with extreme levels observed from February to October, peaking at 14 in March, April, July, August, and September. Notably, the high-risk months are February through October, where the burn time is a mere 10 minutes, necessitating vigilant sun protection measures. In contrast, the burn time increases to 15 minutes in January, November, and December when the UV Index drops to 10 or 9, which, though still classified as very high, presents relatively less risk. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautions during the high UV months, including applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM when UV rays are most intense.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz | 10 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 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 |