United States
UV Index in New Mexico — Current UV Levels
Check the current UV index for 3 cities in New Mexico. Select a city below for real-time UV data, hourly forecasts, and sun protection advice.
UV Index by City in New Mexico
Sun Safety in New Mexico
UV levels in New Mexico vary by season, altitude, and proximity to water. The WHO recommends sun protection whenever UV reaches 3 or higher. Apply SPF 30+ before outdoor activities and reapply every 2 hours.
UV Index in New Mexico: What to Know
New Mexico has some of the highest UV in the US — a combination of low latitude, high desert elevation, and clear skies pushes Albuquerque and Santa Fe to extreme summer UV.
Across New Mexico, the UV index peaks in the four hours around solar noon (roughly noon to 3 PM local time). The World Health Organization recommends sun protection whenever the UV index reaches 3 or higher: apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 at UV 3–5, SPF 50 at UV 6–7, and SPF 50+ with reapplication every two hours at UV 8 and above. Check the live, hour-by-hour UV index for Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Santa Fe on the city pages above before heading outdoors.
Common Questions About UV in New Mexico
When is the UV index highest in New Mexico?
UV in New Mexico is strongest between noon and 3 PM local time, and highest in the summer months when the sun sits highest in the sky. Check the hourly chart for Albuquerque above to see today's exact peak.
Do I need sunscreen in New Mexico?
Yes — whenever the UV index reaches 3 or higher, which in New Mexico covers most of the daytime hours from spring through fall. Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of UV can reach the ground.
How accurate is this UV data for New Mexico?
Our UV index for New Mexico comes from Open-Meteo, which aggregates national weather-service models, and updates every 15 minutes. Levels follow the official WHO global solar UV index scale.