Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Benitachell, Spain, where the sun shines brightly throughout the year. As a popular destination in a Csa climate zone, the risk of harmful UV exposure can be significant, especially during peak hours. By grasping the daily UV levels—ranging from 1 in the early morning to a striking 9 at midday—individuals can take essential precautions to prevent sunburn and protect their skin health. Being aware of these levels is key to enjoying the beautiful Mediterranean sun safely while minimizing long-term skin damage. Embrace the warmth, but always keep an eye on that UV index!
The UV Index today paints a striking picture of sun intensity throughout the day. Starting off gentle at 1 during the early hours, the solar rays heighten sharply as the sun climbs higher, peaking at a robust 9 from 13:00 to 15:00. This is the time to embrace sun safety, as exposure can be harmful. As the afternoon wanes, the index begins to drop, returning to a more manageable 3 by 18:00 and down to 1 by nightfall. With these fluctuations, be sure to protect your skin when the sun is at its strongest, especially during the midday hours!
| 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 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 17:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
As the seasons change, so too does the UV Index and the associated risk of sunburn. From January to February, the UV Index remains moderate (3-4) with a burn time of 30 minutes. However, in March, it escalates to high (6), reducing burn time to 25 minutes, signaling the start of increased caution. April and May are particularly high-risk months with very high indices (8-9) and short burn times of just 15 minutes. The intensity peaks in June at an extreme level (11), where unprotected skin can burn in as little as 10 minutes. July and August follow closely with very high indices (9-10) and continued caution advised. A gradual decline starts in September (UV 8) and continues through October, where the risk decreases to high (6) before settling back to moderate in the late fall (November and December, UV 3-4). Residents and visitors are strongly advised to wear sun protection during high-risk months, especially from March through September, to reduce 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 |
| Benitachell | 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 |