Buenos Aires, December 16, 2025 (NA) – The ozone hole has made minute-by-minute weather data tracking insufficient: temperature, humidity, thermal sensation, and the Ultraviolet Index (UVI) has become a popular new measurement. This is why the alert issued by the National Meteorological Service (SMN) and health organizations, in the peak of summer with high temperatures, is more than concerning: the UVI will reach 'Extreme' levels in the City of Buenos Aires and the Greater Buenos Aires area, with values that can cause burns in minutes, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM, confirmed the Argentine News Agency. For this reason, the dramatic recommendation to take extreme precautions during that time before exposing the skin to the sun has been launched. Radiation is critical throughout the country, particularly in the City of Buenos Aires and Greater Buenos Aires, the Central and Northern Argentine regions, Cuyo, and the Littoral, where it ranges from 'Very High' to 'Extreme'.
How to protect yourself: • Avoid direct sun exposure between 10:00 and 16:00. • Seek shade when outdoors and wear tightly woven clothing with long sleeves and long pants. • Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, with a 50+ factor or more, and reapply it every two hours or after swimming or sweating. • Use wrap-around sunglasses with 99%-100% protection against UVA and UVB. • Adults should wear light-colored, long-sleeved clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV 400 protection. • Always keep children and babies in the shade, protected with clothing and a hat; do not apply sunscreen to infants under six months without consulting a pediatrician. • It is also recommended to stay in the shade, stay properly hydrated, and limit the use of tanning beds.
Ultraviolet Radiation Ultraviolet radiation is a known carcinogen: overexposure increases the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, and accelerates photoaging. Cumulative exposure is associated with eye conditions such as cataracts, pterygium, and other lesions that can affect vision. Even on cloudy days or with moderate temperatures, dangerous UV levels can be present. If activities are unavoidable, schedule them outside of peak radiation hours or prioritize shaded spaces. For outdoor workers, employers, and health authorities must ensure breaks, access to shade, and provision of protective gear and glasses. It is also recommended to consult the local SMN forecast or reliable applications that show the real-time UV Index.
Much of the country last week had UV levels ranging from Very High to Extreme, according to the SMN. In the central and northern regions, values ranged from 8 to 11+, increasing the risk for outdoor activities.
High Risk A report by specialized media warns that the UV index in Argentina has reached the extreme level (11 or more on the standard scale), which implies a very high risk of damage to the skin, eyes, and the immune system, even with brief sun exposures. The international scale classifies radiation levels as follows: low (0-2), moderate (3-5), high (6-7), very high (8-10), and extreme (11+). For example, in the City of Buenos Aires, the UV index value was around 11 during central daylight hours with a clear sky and temperatures above 30 °C. Factors explaining this extreme level include the high position of the sun in the sky during the summer season, which naturally increases UV rays, clear skies and low cloud cover, allowing more radiation to reach the surface, reflection from the ground (pavement, water, sand) intensifying exposure, and the thin ozone layer or atmospheric conditions that favor less filtering can also contribute.
Health Implications The health implications are numerous: • Increased risk of sunburn, even in people with tanned or dark skin. • Higher likelihood of eye damage, such as corneal burns or retinal degeneration. • Worsening for those with skin diseases, photosensitivity, or a history of skin cancer. • Impact on outdoor workers who may develop heatstroke, exhaustion, or heatstroke.
UV Index The Ultraviolet Index (UVI) is an international scale that ranges from 1 to 11 or more; values of 11 and above are classified as 'Extreme'. It means that solar radiation is capable of causing burns in very short periods and increases the risk of skin and eye damage.
IP Health organizations such as the WHO and PAHO recommend avoiding direct exposure during central daylight hours and using permanent protection.
