Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Rio Grande City, Texas, staying informed about the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and maintaining overall health. Understanding UV levels is vital as it helps prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage, especially in areas with intense sunlight. With its hot semi-arid climate, Rio Grande City often experiences peak UV exposure, particularly around midday when levels can soar above 10. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, residents and visitors alike can enjoy the sun safely while minimizing the risks associated with high UV levels.
Throughout the day, the UV Index displays a dynamic rise and fall in intensity, starting with a gentle 1 at 07:00 and maintaining low levels of 1 at 08:00. As the sun climbs higher, the index sharply escalates, reaching 2 by 09:00 and surging to 5 at 10:00. The peak UV Index occurs during midday, hitting a striking 12 at both 13:00 and 14:00, signifying the need for effective sun protection. Following this zenith, the UV levels gracefully decline, tapering off to 10 by 15:00, then 8 at 16:00, and dwindling back down to 2 by 18:00. The day concludes under fading sunlight, with the UV Index returning to a safe 1 by 19:00. Always take care to guard against those midday rays when the sun is at its most powerful!
| 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 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 12 | 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 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index fluctuates significantly, with high-risk months typically falling between February and September. During this time, values soar to extreme levels of 12, especially in May through August, where the recommended burn time is only 10 minutes. In March and April, the index remains in the very high to extreme categories, with burn times decreasing to just 10-15 minutes. As summer gradually transitions into fall, the UV Index begins to decline, allowing for slightly longer burn times in October at 15 minutes, but still indicating a very high risk. For winter months, January, November, and December maintain a high exposure category but extend burn times back to 25 minutes. Visitors and residents should remain vigilant, particularly during the peak UV months, taking proactive measures such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak hours to mitigate the risks associated with intense sun exposure.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago UVI | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Brooklyn UVI | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| New York City UVI | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Los Angeles UVI | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Houston UVI | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |
| Rio Grande City | 6 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 6 |