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.

Darwin UV Index — Live Readings & Forecast

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

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Live UV index — Darwin

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

Nearby UV pages

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

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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 — Darwin

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

The UV index in Darwin reaches extreme (11–14) every single month of the year. At 12.5°S Darwin sits closer to the equator than any other Australian capital, so the sun passes almost directly overhead and solar UV intensity is among the highest recorded anywhere on Earth. Even during the wet-season build-up, breaks in cloud routinely deliver UV 13–14. Cancer Council NT records the country's highest age-standardised melanoma rates per capita. The NT does not observe daylight saving, so solar noon UV peaks around 12:30pm ACST. Temperature is not a useful guide here — a 28°C dry-season morning at Mindil Beach can deliver UV 11 by 9am. ARPANSA recommends the SunSmart five whenever the UV index reaches 3, which in Darwin applies to almost every daylight hour, all year. The live UV reading on this page updates hourly from Open-Meteo with a 7-day forecast.

Peak UV season in Darwin: 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 Darwin

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 Darwin 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 →Darwin weather hub →

UV Index Darwin — FAQs

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