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.

Adelaide UV Index — Live Readings & Forecast

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

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Live UV index — Adelaide

Current UV reading and outlook for the next 12 hours. Data refreshes hourly from Open-Meteo.

Nearby UV pages

Compare Adelaide's UV reading with other centres in South Australia.

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

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7-day UV forecast — Adelaide

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

The UV index in Adelaide reaches extreme (11+) on clear summer days from November through February and stays in the high-to-very-high band for most of the warmer half of the year. At 34.9°S Adelaide's Mediterranean climate delivers long, dry, cloudless summers — the city averages more clear-sky days than Sydney or Melbourne, producing one of the highest cumulative UV doses of any southern mainland capital. Cancer Council SA records elevated melanoma rates across the state's outdoor-oriented population. Hot, dry northerlies can drive afternoon temperatures past 40°C while delivering UV 12 — the heat is not the burn risk, the radiation is. Solar noon UV peaks around 1:30pm ACDT during daylight saving. ARPANSA recommends sun protection whenever the UV index reads 3 or higher, which in Adelaide applies from late September through to April. Live UV on this page updates hourly from Open-Meteo, with a 7-day forecast for planning outdoor activity.

Peak UV season in Adelaide: November to March, peaking December–January.

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 Adelaide

Cancer Council 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, overcast days in Adelaide can still deliver a sunburn dose because up to 80% of UV penetrates light cloud.

National UV index hub →7-day Australian UV forecast →UV index South Australia →Adelaide weather hub →

UV Index Adelaide — FAQs

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