UV Index in Santa Cruz, Aruba — Today, 2 October

What is the UV index? The UV index (ultraviolet index) is the WHO scale 0–11+ of sunburn-risk intensity at the Earth's surface: 0–2 low, 3–5 moderate, 6–7 high, 8–10 very high, 11+ extreme. The higher the number — the faster skin burns. Below is the live value for Santa Cruz today, 2 October.

UV index by month (clear sky)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
8.1	8.8	9.5	9.9	9.9	9.7	9.8	9.9	9.8	9.3	8.6	8

The table shows the calculated noon UV peak for latitude 12.5095° under clear sky. Real values vary with clouds, ozone and altitude — see the hourly chart for today's exact forecast.

UV climate of Santa Cruz: local facts

Santa Cruz sits at 12.5095° latitude (Northern hemisphere, tropical zone). The UV index here climbs from 8 in December to a peak of ≈ 9.9 in April; the annual average is ≈ 9.3. On a peak day, unprotected fair skin burns in about 12 minutes.

• 📈 Peak: ≈ 9.9 in April · calmest month: December (8).
• 🧴 SPF season (UV 6+): January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December — use SPF 30–50+ on sunny days.
• ⚠️ Very high risk (UV 8+): January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December — stay in shade 11:00–16:00, SPF 50+.
• 🌍 UV 11–12 here? Impossible: the local maximum is ≈ 9.9. Values of 11+ occur only near the equator, in deserts and high mountains.
• 💊 Vitamin D: outdoor synthesis is possible 12 months a year (UV 3+): January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December.

What UV index 8, 10, 11 and 12 mean

Value	WHO category	Time to burn (fair skin)
8–10	Very high	15–25 minutes
11+	Extreme	5–10 minutes
12	Maximum at surface	under 10 min; tropics & mountains only

The highest UV index on Earth reaches 12–14 at sea level (equator, deserts, Australia) and above 20 in the Andes. In mid-latitudes summer peaks are 7–8, in the south 9–11. See the monthly table above for Santa Cruz's peaks.

Sun protection tips for Santa Cruz

• 🧴 SPF: at UV 3+ apply SPF 30+ 20 min before going out, reapply every 2 hours and after swimming.
• 🕶 Sunglasses: UV400 or 100% UV protection only.
• 👒 Hat: a brim of at least 7 cm during midday hours.
• ⛱ Shade: 11:00–16:00 whenever the index is 6+.

How the UV data for Santa Cruz is calculated

Live hourly values come from Open-Meteo (ECMWF & NOAA models); the monthly table is a clear-sky calculation for latitude 12.5095° on the WHO 0–11+ scale. Real values vary with clouds, ozone and altitude.

Nearby cities

FAQ: UV index in Santa Cruz

What is the UV index in Santa Cruz today, 2 October?

The live value is at the top of this page; the hourly chart shows today's full forecast, and the status block shows tomorrow's peak. The UV index (WHO scale 0–11+) measures sunburn intensity: the higher, the faster skin burns.

What is the highest UV index in Santa Cruz?

The calculated clear-sky maximum is ≈ 9.9 in April. Values of 11–12 do not occur here — they are only possible near the equator, in deserts and high mountains (world records above 20 were set in the Andes).

When do I need SPF in Santa Cruz?

The UV index reaches 6+ in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December: use SPF 30–50+ on sunny days, reapply every 2 hours.

Can I tan in Santa Cruz?

Comfortable tanning days (UV 2–5) are rare here. Avoid midday sun in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (UV 8+): you will burn before you tan.

What UV index is dangerous?

8 and above: fair skin burns in 10–20 minutes; at 11+ in under 10. In Santa Cruz such levels occur in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December.

What is the UV index tomorrow in Santa Cruz?

The forecast peak for tomorrow is shown in the status block («tomorrow»); the hourly forecast for today is in the chart above.