Last updated: May 3, 2025
In Los Santos, Spain, awareness of the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health. Understanding UV levels can help prevent sunburn and reduce the risk of long-term skin damage, making it essential for residents and visitors alike. With a Mediterranean climate characterized by warm summers, the UV exposure can be particularly high, especially during midday hours when the index peaks at a dangerous 10. From 11 AM to 3 PM, when the sun's rays are strongest, it's vital to monitor UV levels to enjoy the beautiful outdoors safely while keeping your skin protected.
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 |
Throughout the year, UV levels exhibit significant seasonal fluctuations, peaking in the summer months. January and February present moderate UV levels (Index 3-4), allowing for a burn time of about 30 minutes. As spring arrives in March, the UV Index sharply rises to 7, marking the beginning of high-risk months, with reduced burn time of 25 minutes. The peak risk months are April to July, where the UV Index reaches 9-11 (very high to extreme), necessitating vigilant sun protection with a burn time as low as 10 minutes in June and July. Conditions remain risky into August and September (UV Index 8-10), before tapering off in October and returning to moderate levels by November and December. Residents and visitors are advised to take extra precautions during these high-risk months, such as seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying broad-spectrum sunscreen to minimize the risk of harmful UV 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 |
| Los Santos | 3 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Sevilla UVI | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 3 |