Last updated: May 3, 2025
In La Santa, Spain, staying informed about the UV Index is crucial for maintaining healthy skin and preventing sunburn. With the region's arid BWh climate, residents and visitors alike experience intensified sunshine, making it essential to understand daily UV levels to protect against harmful effects. During peak hours, the UV Index can soar to 12, indicating a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. By being aware of these fluctuations, you can enjoy the beautiful La Santa sun safely—embracing outdoor activities while prioritizing your skin health.
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 |
| La Santa | 5 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 |