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.

Byron Bay UV Index — Live Readings & Forecast

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

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Live UV index — Byron Bay

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

Nearby UV pages

Compare Byron Bay's UV reading with other centres in New South Wales.

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7-day UV forecast — Byron Bay

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

Byron Bay sits at 28.6°S on Australia's easternmost point, with a near-subtropical UV climate. The UV index regularly hits extreme (11–13) from October through March, and rarely drops below high (6) even in mid-winter. Main Beach, Wategos, Tallow Beach and the Cape Byron lighthouse walk place residents and the town's significant tourist population in long-duration outdoor settings under intense overhead sun. Cancer Council NSW notes that Byron's reputation for natural, healthy living can paradoxically lead to higher cumulative UV exposure as visitors spend whole days unprotected outdoors. Sea-spray, sand reflection and shade-free clifftop walks all amplify the dose. ARPANSA's SunSmart guidance — slip, slop, slap, seek, slide — applies whenever the UV index reads 3 or higher, which in Byron Bay is virtually every daylight hour.

Peak UV season in Byron Bay: year-round, peaking October 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 Byron Bay

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 Byron Bay 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 NSW →Byron Bay weather hub →

UV Index Byron Bay — FAQs

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