Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors of Sax, Spain, where the sunny climate can lead to significant exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays. With peak UV levels reaching up to 11 during midday, awareness of these values is essential for preventing sunburn and protecting long-term skin health. In this semi-arid region characterized by a BSk climate, the risks increase during the warmer months, making it vital to stay informed and take appropriate sun safety measures. Embrace the sun while safeguarding your skin by staying aware of the UV Index!
As the sun rises, the UV Index starts off mild, peaking at a gentle 1 by 8:00 AM. However, as the hours progress, the intensity ramps up significantly. By 10:00 AM, the index hits a moderate 4, escalating to a 6 by 11:00 AM. The sun reaches its zenith at 1:00 PM, where the UV Index soars to an intense 10, and even peaks at a blistering 11 by 2:00 PM. After this peak, the levels gradually decline, with 8 by 4:00 PM and slipping down to 2 as the sun sets at 7:00 PM. This hourly shift serves as a reminder to stay protected during the highest UV exposure times, especially between noon and early afternoon.
| 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 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 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 |
As the seasons change, so too does the UV Index, resulting in varying levels of skin exposure risk. From January to March, the UV Index begins to rise, peaking at 6 in March, moving into a high exposure category with a burn time of just 25 minutes. The high-risk months of April through July see dramatic increases, with May and June reaching very high and extreme levels at 10 and 12, respectively, necessitating caution with burn times decreasing to as low as 10 minutes. As summer wanes, September and October still present significant risks, with indices of 9 and 7, although the burn times improve slightly. Conversely, November and December afford a reprieve, returning to a moderate exposure category with a UV Index of 4 and 3, allowing for a safer 30 minutes of unprotected sun exposure. Visitors and residents are advised to take proactive sun protection measures, especially between April and July, including using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak sunlight hours.
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 |
| Sax | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Sevilla UVI | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 3 |