Last updated: May 3, 2025
Staying informed about the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Buenavista, Spain, where the beautiful climate can also lead to significant sun exposure risks. Understanding the varying UV levels throughout the day is essential for effective sunburn prevention and promoting long-term skin health. With a typical Mediterranean summer, UV levels can peak dramatically—reaching a high of 10 between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM—making it vital to take precautions during these hours. By familiarizing yourself with the UV Index, you can enjoy the sunny weather while protecting your skin and overall wellbeing.
As the sun rises, the UV Index starts at a gentle 1 at 07:00, perfect for early risers. By 09:00, it climbs to 2, signaling a hint of caution for those venturing outdoors. The intensity ramps up swiftly, peaking at 10 between 14:00 and 15:00, indicating high levels of UV exposure—definitely a time to seek shade and wear protection! As the afternoon wanes, the index gracefully declines, dropping to 4 by 18:00, and settling back to 2 by 19:00. This hourly journey highlights the vital importance of sun safety, especially during those peak hours when the sun is at its most potent!
| 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 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 17:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 18:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 19:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index shows significant seasonal variation, with the highest values occurring during the summer months. From March to August, the UV Index climbs from 6 in March to a peak of 11 in both June and July, indicating extreme exposure risks and a burn time as short as 10 minutes. April and May also present very high risks, with indices of 9 and 10, respectively. In contrast, the UV Index drops to moderate levels during the winter months, specifically in January, February, and November, with values ranging from 2 to 4, where burn times extend from 30 to 45 minutes. As such, it is crucial for visitors and residents to exercise extra caution during the high-risk months of April to August, by wearing sunscreen, hats, and protective clothing, and limiting outdoor activities during peak sun hours to avoid harmful solar exposure.
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 |
| Buenavista | 3 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Sevilla UVI | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 3 |