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.

Alice Springs UV Index — Live Readings & Forecast

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

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Live UV index — Alice Springs

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

Nearby UV pages

Compare Alice Springs's UV reading with other centres in Northern Territory.

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7-day UV forecast — Alice Springs

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

Alice Springs sits at 23.7°S in the arid centre of Australia and records year-round extreme UV. The town's elevation (around 580m), exceptionally clear desert atmosphere and low cloud cover combine to produce UV peaks of 12–14 from September through March, with the index remaining in the very high band (8+) even in winter. The MacDonnell Ranges, Simpsons Gap and Larapinta walks place residents and visitors in long-duration outdoor activity under intense overhead sun. Cancer Council NT and ARPANSA both classify Central Australia as one of Earth's highest UV environments. NT does not observe daylight saving, so solar noon UV peaks around 12:30pm ACST. Continuous sun protection — SPF 50+ sunscreen, broad-brimmed hat, UPF clothing, sunglasses and shade — is essential during all outdoor activity around Alice Springs.

Peak UV season in Alice Springs: year-round; extreme September to March.

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 Alice Springs

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 Alice Springs 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 Northern Territory →Alice Springs weather hub →

UV Index Alice Springs — FAQs

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