Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Arrecife, Spain, is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health. With its warm BWh climate, Arrecife experiences significant UV exposure, particularly during midday hours when the index peaks at a staggering 12. This makes awareness of UV levels essential to prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage. By staying informed about daily UV fluctuations, residents and visitors alike can take proactive measures to enjoy the beautiful sun-soaked days while protecting themselves from the harmful effects of excessive ultraviolet radiation.
As the sun rises, the UV Index starts off at a low 1 at 07:00, gradually climbing to 2 by 09:00. However, the intensity peaks dramatically around 12:00, reaching an impressive 9. This midday sun continues to blaze, hitting its zenith at 13:00 with a staggering 11 before cresting at 14:00 with a high of 12. The afternoon brings a decrease, with values dropping to 10 by 15:00, and further declining to 5 at 17:00. As the day winds down, the index further retreats to 3 by 18:00, and lands back at 1 as night falls at 19:00. It’s a clear reminder of the importance of sun protection during those peak hours, especially between 11:00 and 14:00 when UV rays are at their strongest!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 17:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
As the year progresses, UV exposure varies significantly, with notable increases during the spring and summer months. The high-risk months for UV exposure are March through October, peaking in May and June when the UV Index reaches an extreme level of 12, allowing for a burn time of only 10 minutes. Conversely, from January to February and November to December, the UV levels are moderate to high, offering longer burn times of 25 to 30 minutes. Visitors and residents are advised to take precautions, especially between March and September, by wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen frequently, and seeking shade during peak hours to minimize the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona UVI | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| Zaragoza UVI | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| Valencia UVI | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Madrid UVI | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Sevilla UVI | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Arrecife | 5 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 |