Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is essential for residents and visitors in South Padre Island, United States, where the sun’s rays can be particularly intense. Being aware of daily UV levels can help you take proactive steps in sunburn prevention and maintaining skin health. Nestled in a Cfa climate zone, South Padre Island boasts warm, sunny weather year-round, leading to higher UV exposure, especially between 10 AM and 2 PM when the index peaks at a significant 12. Monitor the UV Index to enjoy the beautiful beaches safely while protecting your skin from harmful effects.
As the sun rises, the UV Index starts at a mild 1 at 7:00 AM and remains low until 9:00 AM, where it climbs to 3. By 10:00 AM, the index accelerates to a moderate 5, but it’s at 11:00 AM that the heat intensifies, reaching 8. The peak occurs at 12:00 PM with a staggering value of 10, followed by the highest point of the day at 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM, where it maxes out at 12. After this peak, the index gradually declines: it drops to 10 by 3:00 PM and continues to decrease to 7 at 4:00 PM. By the late afternoon, the intensity wanes, falling to 5 at 5:00 PM and back down to 2 by 6:00 PM, before settling at 1 again as day turns to dusk by 7:00 PM. Remember to shield yourself during the midday hours when the UV radiation is at its most intense!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 8 | very high | 15 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 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 17:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV exposure varies significantly, with the highest levels occurring from March to September. The most critical months are April through August, characterized by an extreme UV Index of 11-12 and a burn time as short as 10 minutes. In contrast, January, November, and December present lower risk with a high UV Index of 6-7 and a longer burn time of 25 minutes. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautions during high-risk months by wearing protective clothing, using broad-spectrum sunscreen, and avoiding direct sun exposure during peak hours. Always stay informed and prioritize skin safety to reduce the risk of UV-related health issues.
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 |
| South Padre Island | 6 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 6 |