UV Index in Santa Barbara

Real-time UV forecast & tanning weather

Current Conditions

Loading live weather data...
0
Low
UV Index
🌡️
15°C
Temperature
⛅
Partly cloudy
Conditions
☀️
Peak Tanning Window 1PM • UV 8

Hourly UV Forecast

☀️ Excellent tanning conditions • 10AM–6PM • 22°C • 9 km/h 🌬️
0
6AM
0
7AM
2
8AM
3
9AM
5
10AM
6
11AM
8
12PM
8
1PM
8
2PM
7
3PM
6
4PM
5
5PM
3
6PM
1
7PM
0
8PM
0
9PM
Low 0–2 Moderate 3–5 High 6–7 Very High 8–10 Extreme 11+

16-Day UV Forecast

8
Sun 31
Excellent
8
Mon 1
Excellent
8
Tue 2
Good
8
Wed 3
Excellent
8
Thu 4
Excellent
7
Fri 5
Excellent
7
Sat 6
Excellent
8
Sun 7
Excellent
8
Mon 8
Excellent
8
Tue 9
Excellent
8
Wed 10
Excellent
8
Thu 11
Excellent
8
Fri 12
Excellent
8
Sat 13
Excellent
8
Sun 14
Excellent
8
Mon 15
Excellent

Location & Climate

Santa Barbara enjoys a prolonged period of high UV, with levels reaching 11 from February through October, thanks to its Southern California climate. Take advantage of the consistent sunshine by tanning on East Beach, but be aware that the midday sun is particularly strong year-round.

Tanning Tips

Santa Barbara enjoys strong UV from spring through fall. Peak tanning season runs March to September, with UV often exceeding 8.

Weather data by Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)

Monthly UV Index in Santa Barbara

Average daily maximum UV index by month

Jan
3
Feb
5
Mar
7
Apr
8
May
10
Jun
10
Jul
11
Aug
10
Sep
8
Oct
6
Nov
4
Dec
3
Low Moderate High Very High Extreme

Best Months to Tan in Santa Barbara

Based on average UV levels, the best months for tanning in Santa Barbara are:

March Great April Great May Excellent June Excellent July Excellent August Excellent September Great

Rating based on average monthly UV index

Related Guides

Tanning in UV 9-10+ → Aggressive Tanning — What to Know → Safe Tanning Tips → Melanin-Boosting Foods → Best Time of Day to Tan →

Tanning Tools & Calculators

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Tanning Time Calculator

Calculate your ideal tanning time based on skin type and UV index

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Sunburn Calculator

Find out how long until you burn based on your skin type and current UV

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Skin Type Quiz

Discover your Fitzpatrick skin type and get personalized tanning advice

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Tanning Routine Creator

Build a personalized tanning plan based on your skin, UV, and experience

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UV index in Santa Barbara right now?
The current UV index in Santa Barbara is shown in the live weather section above. UV levels change throughout the day, typically peaking between 11 AM and 2 PM local time.
What is the best month to tan in Santa Barbara?
The best months for tanning in Santa Barbara are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, when average UV levels reach 7 or higher.
How long should I tan in Santa Barbara?
Tanning time depends on your skin type and the current UV index. For a moderate UV of 9, a person with Skin Type III (medium complexion) can safely tan for about 17 minutes per session. Use our Tanning Calculator for personalized recommendations.
Is it safe to tan in UV index 11?
UV index 11 is classified as Extreme. Extreme — stay in shade during peak hours. Tanning is not recommended without strong protection.
When is the peak UV time in Santa Barbara?
UV levels in Santa Barbara typically peak between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM local time. The exact peak depends on the season, cloud cover, and altitude.

UV Index in Nearby Cities

10
Summerland
Avg. Peak UV
› 10
Goleta
Avg. Peak UV
› 10
Carpinteria
Avg. Peak UV
› 10
Ventura
Avg. Peak UV
› 10
Oxnard
Avg. Peak UV
› 10
Thousand Oaks
Avg. Peak UV
›

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