What is the UV index?

The UV index measures the strength of the sun's ultraviolet radiation at the Earth's surface on a scale from 0 (no risk) to 11+ (extreme). In Australia, UV regularly reaches 11+ in summer — among the highest in the world.

When is UV highest in Australia?

UV is strongest between 10am and 3pm AEST/AEDT, typically peaking around solar noon. Levels are highest in summer (December–February) and across northern Australia year-round.

Can you get sunburnt when the UV index is below 3?

Skin damage from UV is unlikely when the index is below 3, so sun protection generally isn't required. However, people with very fair skin or those on photosensitising medication should still take care.

What UV level requires sun protection?

Cancer Council Australia and ARPANSA recommend sun protection (SPF 50+ sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, protective clothing, shade) whenever the UV index reaches 3 or higher.

How accurate is the UV index forecast?

Forecasts use validated solar radiation models (Open-Meteo, ARPANSA, ECMWF) and are accurate to within ±1 UV unit under clear skies. Heavy cloud, smoke or haze can lower actual UV by 20–80%.

Does cloud cover block UV radiation?

No — up to 80% of UV passes through light cloud cover. You can still get sunburnt on overcast days, especially when the forecast UV is 6 or higher.

Act UV Index — Live Readings & Forecast

Name: UV index observations and forecast — Act
Creator: Open-Meteo
License: https://open-meteo.com/en/license

Get Australian Capital Territory weather alerts

Push, email & SMS notifications for severe weather warnings across your state.

Get alerts

Live UV index across Australian Capital Territory

Compare current UV in Canberra and regional ACT. Peak season: November to February. Tap any card for the full 7-day forecast and SunSmart advice.

Full ACT weather forecast

Can't find your location?

Visit our local weather forecast page, search for your town or suburb, and UV information will be shown alongside the weather for that location.

Search locations

7-day UV forecast — Canberra

Daily peak UV index for the next week. Sun protection is required whenever UV reaches 3 or above.

Canberra and the broader ACT record some of inland Australia's highest summer UV thanks to elevation (around 580m), clear skies and low atmospheric moisture. The capital regularly sees UV 11+ between November and February, with solar noon peaks pushing into the extreme band by mid-December. The territory's outdoor culture — Lake Burley Griffin, Mount Ainslie walks, Floriade — means residents and visitors accumulate significant UV doses during warmer months. ACT Health and Cancer Council ACT both adopt the national SunSmart guidance: sun protection whenever the UV index reads 3 or higher, which in Canberra typically applies from late September through to April.

UV Index Scale & Sun Protection

Low (0–2)
No protection required
Moderate (3–5)
Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
High (6–7)
Protection essential, seek shade midday
Very High (8–10)
Extra protection, avoid sun 10am–4pm
Extreme (11+)
Stay indoors when possible

Scale follows the WHO/ARPANSA Global Solar UV Index. Source: ARPANSA & Cancer Council Australia.

Sun protection in Australian Capital Territory

Cancer Council ACT and ARPANSA recommend the SunSmart five whenever the UV index reaches 3: slip on protective clothing, slop on SPF 50+ sunscreen, slap on a broad-brimmed hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses. UV is invisible and unrelated to temperature — cool, cloudy days still carry sunburn risk in Australian Capital Territory.

National UV index hub →7-day Australian UV forecast →ACT weather hub →Heatwave forecasts & warnings →

UV Index ACT — FAQs

UV data: Open-Meteo. Reference guidance: ARPANSA, Cancer Council Australia, Bureau of Meteorology.