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.

Gold Coast UV Index — Live Readings & Forecast

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

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Live UV index — Gold Coast

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

Nearby UV pages

Compare Gold Coast's UV reading with other centres in Queensland.

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7-day UV forecast — Gold Coast

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

The Gold Coast records some of Australia's most sustained UV exposure. Sitting at 28°S with year-round subtropical sunshine, Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta routinely log UV 11–13 (extreme) from October through to March, and the index rarely drops below 6 even in the cooler months. Sea breezes off the Pacific mask the burn risk: beachgoers and surfers can be exposed to an extreme UV dose without feeling overheated. Cancer Council Queensland reports the highest melanoma rates in the world along this stretch of coast, making the live UV index a daily safety check, not a seasonal one. Cloud from passing showers offers limited relief — up to 80% of UV penetrates light cloud. ARPANSA and Queensland Health both recommend the SunSmart five whenever the UV reading reaches 3, which on the Gold Coast applies to every daylight hour for most of the year.

Peak UV season in Gold Coast: 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 Gold Coast

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 Gold Coast 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 Queensland →Gold Coast weather hub →

UV Index Gold Coast — FAQs

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