UV index for La Paz peaks at UV 12 at 13:00 local time. Data as of (America/La_Paz). Values update hourly — see this page for the current reading and hourly forecast.

uvi·today

UV Index in La Paz

Live UV index for La Paz, Bolivia — current level, hourly UV forecast, peak times, WHO sun protection advice and a 4-day outlook. Now: UV 0 (Low). Peak today: UV 12 at 13:00.

Now · 04:00 · La Paz
0
Low
0–2Low3–5Moderate6–7High8–10Very High11+Extreme

Sun protection needed today: 08:00–17:00

Protection guidelines:

Max today · 13:00 — UV 12 · Extreme · Clear sky: 18 at 12:00

  • Avoid being outside during midday hours
  • Make sure you seek shade
  • Shirt, broad-spectrum sunscreen and hat are a must
Values are forecasts from the European CAMS model (Copernicus), not measurements from a sensor in La Paz. WHO · Methodology
Today's UV overview · Fri, Oct 16
1
7Clear sky5°15%3
3
8Clear sky10°13%1
6
9Clear sky13°9%2
10
10Clear sky15°8%2
11
11Clear sky17°8%2
11
12Clear sky19°7%3
12
13Clear sky20°7%4
9
14Clear sky20°9%4
6
15Clear sky21°9%1
3
16Clear sky21°10%3
1
17Clear sky17°43%6
% HumidityWind m/s
Max today
12at 13:00
Max tomorrow
17at 12:00
Daylight today
12h 29m06:03–18:32
Solar noon
12:18

Sun & moon in La Paz

Sun height-22°
Sun directionE 107°
Sky stateNight
-90°-60°-30°0°30°60°90°00:0006:0012:0018:0024:00Now -22°

The curve traces the sun's height above the horizon through the day: 0° is the horizon, 90° is straight overhead. The higher the sun climbs, the shorter the path its rays take through the atmosphere — and the stronger the UV. The part below 0° is night.

Sunrise / sunset directionE 100° / W 260°
Civil twilight05:42–06:04 / 18:31–18:54
Nautical twilight05:16–05:42 / 18:54–19:20
Astronomical twilight04:50–05:16 / 19:20–19:45
Moon phaseWaxing crescent · 29%
Moonrise / moonset10:20 / 23:56
Next moon quarterFirst quarter · Oct 18, 12:13

Detailed hourly UV index — Today, Oct 16

Peak UV 11.7 at 13:00 · La Paz · Local time (GMT-4)

The solid line is the hourly UV forecast: the UV index expected each hour, with cloud cover taken into account. The dashed line is the clear-sky UV, the level it would reach under a cloudless sky. The gap between the two lines shows how much the clouds are lowering the UV.

051015Max: 126:003°9:0013°12:0019°15:0021°18:0015°21:0010°
ForecastClear sky

Detailed hourly UV index — Tomorrow, Oct 17

Peak UV 16.7 at 12:00 · La Paz · Local time (GMT-4)

051015Max: 176:003°9:0013°12:0019°15:0021°18:0019°21:0010°
ForecastClear sky
Hour-by-hour UV index for today & tomorrow

Detailed hour-by-hour UV index forecast for La Paz — today and tomorrow. Includes UV level, clear-sky UV, weather conditions, and temperature for each hour.

Today — Oct 16

HourUVClear skyWeather
05:000.0 – Low0.0Clear sky4°
06:000.0 – Low0.0Clear sky3°
07:000.6 – Low0.7Clear sky5°
08:002.6 – Moderate3.0Clear sky10°
09:006.0 – High7.2Clear sky13°
10:009.7 – Very High12.1Clear sky15°
11:0011.1 – Extreme16.1Clear sky17°
12:0011.0 – Extreme17.8Clear sky19°
13:0011.7 – Extreme16.8Clear sky20°
14:009.1 – Very High13.3Clear sky20°
15:005.9 – High8.5Clear sky21°
16:002.6 – Moderate4.1Clear sky21°
17:000.7 – Low1.2Clear sky17°
18:000.1 – Low0.1Clear sky15°
19:000.0 – Low0.0Clear sky13°
20:000.0 – Low0.0Clear sky12°
21:000.0 – Low0.0Clear sky10°

Tomorrow — Oct 17

HourUVClear skyWeather
05:000.0 – Low0.0Mainly clear4°
06:000.0 – Low0.0Clear sky3°
07:000.7 – Low0.7Clear sky4°
08:002.9 – Moderate3.0Clear sky10°
09:006.9 – High7.1Clear sky13°
10:0011.5 – Extreme11.9Clear sky15°
11:0015.4 – Extreme15.8Clear sky18°
12:0016.7 – Extreme17.5Clear sky19°
13:0015.5 – Extreme16.5Clear sky20°
14:009.7 – Very High13.0Clear sky21°
15:005.6 – High8.3Clear sky21°
16:002.3 – Low4.0Clear sky20°
17:000.6 – Low1.2Clear sky19°
18:000.1 – Low0.1Clear sky19°
19:000.0 – Low0.0Clear sky16°
20:000.0 – Low0.0Clear sky12°
21:000.0 – Low0.0Clear sky10°

4-Day UV Forecast for La Paz

The 4-day UV index forecast shows each day's peak UV and the time it's reached, plus daily high and low temperatures and an hourly UV curve, so you can plan sun protection for the days ahead.

Today, Oct 16Peak UV 12 at 13:00Sun protection: 08:00–17:0021° / 3°
6Clear sky3°9Clear sky13°12Clear sky19°15Clear sky21°18Clear sky15°
Saturday, Oct 17Peak UV 17 at 12:00Sun protection: 08:00–16:0021° / 3°
6Clear sky3°9Clear sky13°12Clear sky19°15Clear sky21°18Clear sky19°
Sunday, Oct 18Peak UV 14 at 11:00Sun protection: 08:00–17:0021° / 2°
6Clear sky2°9Clear sky12°12Clear sky20°15Clear sky21°18Clear sky18°
Monday, Oct 19Peak UV 12 at 11:00Sun protection: 09:00–17:0021° / 3°
6Clear sky4°9Clear sky12°12Clear sky19°15Clear sky21°18Clear sky18°

Peak midday UV by month in La Paz

It's October: on clear days, the midday sun here usually peaks around UV 15–18. That's very intense: around midday you need shade, covering clothes and sunscreen.

The sun is strong here all year round: even in the mildest months, midday UV reaches about 10, so protection is needed in every season. Treat these numbers as the most sun you should expect around noon: clouds typically lower the real value, while reflections from snow, sand or water can add to the UV your skin actually receives. Today's actual UV is in the forecast above.

3681114172018–21Jan18–21Feb15–19Mar12–16Apr9–12May8–10Jun8–11Jul10–14Aug12–16Sep15–18Oct17–19Nov17–20Dec

Each bar shows the range the midday UV index moves through on clear days in that month, from the gentlest days up to what the strongest days typically reach, based on 17 years of satellite data (2004–2020). The small light line inside a bar is an ordinary day's midday level.

Based on TEMIS data. Copyright © KNMI/ESA — https://www.temis.nl/

In October the strong sun is in the southern hemisphere: UV reaches high levels across most of it, while the northern hemisphere outside the tropics has its mild season.

See the world map for October →

The UV year at a glance

Strongest sunJan–Feb · up to 21
Weakest sunJun · up to 10
Protection needed (UV 3+)all year
Extra protection (UV 8+)all year

Months when the midday sun gets strong enough to need protection. Based on clear days; clouds typically lower UV.

See also: La Paz temperature and rainfall by month →

UV in La Paz: today, tomorrow and through the year

In La Paz, the UV index reads 0 (low) right now, and the day tops out at 12 (extreme) around 13:00, so it's worth covering up between 08:00 and 17:00. Cloud is taking some of the edge off; under clear skies the peak would be UV 18. Up at 3,767 m, the thinner air at this altitude lets through more UV than at sea level.Tomorrow climbs higher, peaking at UV 17 (extreme) around 12:00, so plan sun protection from 08:00 to 16:00.Few months in La Paz are stronger than October. Its strongest days reach about UV 18, while the quietest months of the year still hold around UV 10.

About La Paz

La Paz, Bolivia's seat of government, is the world's highest capital city, set in a dramatic Andean canyon at roughly 3,600 m above sea level. The thin air at that altitude filters far less radiation than at sea level, and combined with a tropical latitude near 16° south it produces some of the strongest UV anywhere: on clear-sky days in January and February the midday index reaches 21, and it stays at 11 or above in every month except June. The cold mountain climate hides this intensity completely, since the sun burns hard even when the air feels cool. Protection is essential year-round whenever the sky is clear, and especially around midday.

Location, daylight and sky in La Paz

Key facts

CountryBolivia, La Paz Department
TimezoneAmerica/La Paz (UTC-4)
Coordinates16.50° S, 68.15° W
Elevation3767 m
Population≈ 2M
Air pressurebarometer.today

Sun & Daylight Hours in La Paz

Sunrise / sunset06:03 / 18:32
Daylight today12h 29m
Daylight tomorrow12h 29m (±0 min)
Solar noon (sun highest)12:18
Golden hour18:03–18:45
Low UV hours (UV < 3)06:00–08:00
17:00–18:00
High UV window (UV ≥ 3)08:00–17:00

Seasonal daylight range at this latitude

Longest day13h 07m (Dec 21)
Shortest day11h 09m (Jun 21)

Similar daylight hours as Brasília, Brazil — on the same parallel

UV index map for La Paz and nearby cities

This map shows the current UV forecast for La Paz and the area around it. One forecast value covers a region of roughly 40 km, so it is a good guide for the area as a whole rather than an exact reading for one spot. In places with big height differences, or where the ground is covered by snow, the real UV can differ from what the map shows.

Check UV in: Puno · Santa Cruz de la Sierra · Tacna · Sucre · Arica

Air quality concerns? Check air quality in La Paz on AirIndex.Today

What is the UV index in La Paz right now?

As of 04:00 local time, the UV index in La Paz is 0 (Low). UV changes hour by hour. See the hourly chart above for how it rises and falls today.

What is the UV index in La Paz today?

On 2026-10-16, the peak UV index forecast for La Paz is 12, expected around 13:00 local time. Check back daily: UV levels change with cloud cover, ozone, and sun angle. La Paz sits at 3767 m elevation, where UV radiation is stronger than at sea level (roughly +10% per 1,000 m).

What is the UV index in La Paz tomorrow?

On 2026-10-17, the UV index in La Paz is forecast to peak at 17 around 12:00 local time. Plan outdoor activities and sun protection around that peak.

What are typical maximum UV levels in La Paz by month?

Peak midday UV index in La Paz, month by month
MonthPeak midday UV
January18–21
February18–21
March15–19
April12–16
May9–12
June8–10
July8–11
August10–14
September12–16
October15–18
November17–19
December17–20
The weakest sun is in June, when midday UV stays around 8–10. From there it climbs: July (8–11), August (10–14), September (12–16), October (15–18), November (17–19), and December (17–20). The strongest sun is in January and February, reaching 18–21 on clear days. It eases back through March (15–19), April (12–16), and May (9–12).Clear-sky range, 17 years of satellite data (2004–2020). On cloudy days values are typically lower.

How strong is UV in La Paz in October?

In a typical October, the midday UV index in La Paz reaches 15–18 on clear days, based on 17 years of satellite data (2004–2020). Cloudy days typically run lower. Check the live forecast for today's value.

Which months have the highest UV in La Paz?

UV in La Paz is highest in January–February, when the midday index reaches up to 21 on clear days. The weakest sun is in June, around 8–10 at midday.

When do you need sun protection in La Paz?

All year round: midday UV in La Paz reaches 3 or higher (the WHO protection level) in every month. In every month it can reach UV 8 or more. The WHO then advises extra protection: avoid the midday sun and cover up.

Forecast · UV Index

Now
UV 0 (Low)
Max today
UV 11.7 · 13:00
Max tomorrow
UV 16.7 · 12:00
Clear sky
UV 17.8
Sunrise / Sunset
06:03 / 18:32
High UV window (UV ≥ 3)
08:00–17:00
4-Day UV Forecast
Fri 11.7 · Sat 16.7 · Sun 14.3 · Mon 12.4
About the UV Index

What is the UV index?

The UV index (UVI) is an international standard measure of the strength of ultraviolet radiation from the sun at a particular place and time. It ranges from 0 (nighttime) to 11+ (extreme). Higher values mean greater risk of sunburn, skin damage, and eye injury. The UV index was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to help people protect themselves from harmful UV radiation.

How do I check the UV index today?

This page shows the live UV index for your location using data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS). You get the current UV level, an hourly UV forecast chart for today and tomorrow, and the exact peak UV time — so you always know when sun protection is most important.

When is UV radiation strongest?

UV radiation is typically strongest between 10:00 and 16:00, when the sun is highest in the sky. However, the exact peak time and intensity depend on your latitude, the season, altitude, cloud cover, and ozone levels. Check the UV forecast chart above to see today's exact peak time for your location.

How can I protect myself from UV radiation?

Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen, wear protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, seek shade during peak UV hours, and wear UV-blocking sunglasses. The WHO recommends sun protection when the UV index is 3 or above.

Where does the UV data come from?

The hourly UV index on this site comes from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), operated by ECMWF on behalf of the European Union. CAMS calculates the UV biologically effective dose using total column ozone, aerosol optical depth, and cloud cover. The global forecast has a spatial resolution of approximately 40 km and provides hourly UV index values for up to 5 days ahead.

What does "clear-sky UV index" mean?

The clear-sky UV index shows how strong ultraviolet radiation would be if there were no clouds at all. It is calculated using the same atmospheric data — ozone column thickness, aerosol concentrations, and solar angle — but assumes completely cloudless conditions. Comparing the actual UV index with the clear-sky value shows how much clouds are reducing UV exposure at any given time. On overcast days, actual UV can be significantly lower than the clear-sky value.

How often is the UV forecast updated?

The CAMS global UV forecast is updated twice daily, based on model runs initialized at 00:00 and 12:00 UTC. Weather data such as temperature, cloud cover, and sunrise/sunset times is updated every 1–6 hours depending on the region, using weather models from national meteorological services via Open-Meteo. The first 1–2 days of the forecast are typically the most accurate.

What does the WHO recommend for each UV level?

Low (0–2) — No protection needed. You can safely enjoy being outside
Moderate (3–5) — Seek shade during midday hours. Wear a shirt, apply broad-spectrum sunscreen, and put on a hat. Wear UV-blocking sunglasses
High (6–7) — Seek shade during midday hours. Wear a shirt, apply broad-spectrum sunscreen, and put on a hat. Wear UV-blocking sunglasses
Very High (8–10) — Avoid being outside during midday hours. Make sure you seek shade. Shirt, broad-spectrum sunscreen and hat are a must
Extreme (11+) — Avoid being outside during midday hours. Make sure you seek shade. Shirt, broad-spectrum sunscreen and hat are a must

Source: WHO Global Solar UV Index, 2002