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.

Broome UV Index — Live Readings & Forecast

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

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Live UV index — Broome

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

Nearby UV pages

Compare Broome's UV reading with other centres in Western Australia.

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7-day UV forecast — Broome

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

Broome sits at 18°S on WA's Kimberley coast and records some of Australia's most extreme sustained UV — the index reaches 11+ every month of the year and frequently peaks at 14 during the dry season (May to October). Cable Beach, the Dampier Peninsula and Roebuck Bay place residents and visitors in long-duration outdoor settings under near-overhead tropical sun, with reflected UV from white sand and clear coastal water adding substantially to direct exposure. Cancer Council WA highlights the Kimberley as Australia's highest per-capita UV-exposure region. WA does not observe daylight saving, so solar noon UV peaks around 12:15pm AWST. ARPANSA recommends continuous sun protection during all outdoor activity in Broome — SPF 50+ sunscreen, broad-brimmed hat, UPF clothing and shade are essential at all times.

Peak UV season in Broome: extreme UV every month of the year.

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 Broome

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 Broome 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 Western Australia →Broome weather hub →

UV Index Broome — FAQs

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