Live UV forecast for 147 cities
Chile stretches from -53.1628° to -18.4755° latitude (Southern hemisphere), so UV conditions differ a lot from region to region. The clear-sky UV index reaches ≈ 9.4 in Arica (peak in January), while in Punta Arenas the yearly maximum is only ≈ 6.9. As in the whole Southern hemisphere, the sun is strongest from November to February — opposite to Europe and North America.
| Zone | Cities | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical | 6 | 9.2 | 9.2 | 8.7 | 7.7 | 6.9 | 6.2 | 6.5 | 7.3 | 8.2 | 8.9 | 9.2 | 9.2 | 9.2 |
| Subtropical | 65 | 8.3 | 7.8 | 7 | 5.7 | 4.6 | 3.9 | 4.2 | 5.2 | 6.3 | 7.3 | 8 | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Temperate | 76 | 8 | 7.4 | 6.3 | 4.9 | 3.8 | 3.1 | 3.3 | 4.4 | 5.6 | 6.8 | 7.6 | 8 | 8 |
Calculated clear-sky noon peaks at the average latitude of each zone. Real values vary with clouds, altitude and ozone.
Using Santiago as a reference: the UV index reaches 6+ in January, February, March, September, October, November and December. In the sunniest zones (see table) SPF 30–50+ is needed almost year-round; in the mildest — only in late spring and summer.
The calculated clear-sky maximum is ≈ 9.4 — in Arica around January. Values above this occur only near the equator and in high mountains.
Arica (peak ≈ 9.4), followed by Alto Hospicio and Iquique. The mildest sun is in Punta Arenas (max ≈ 6.9).
In Santiago and similar latitudes the UV reaches 6+ in January, February, March, September, October, November and December: use SPF 30–50+ on sunny days. Protection is advised from UV 3.
No — the local maximum is ≈ 9.4. UV 11+ occurs only near the equator, in deserts and high mountains.