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.

Mackay UV Index — Live Readings & Forecast

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

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Live UV index — Mackay

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

Nearby UV pages

Compare Mackay's UV reading with other centres in Queensland.

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7-day UV forecast — Mackay

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

Mackay sits at 21.1°S in tropical Queensland, midway between Cairns and the Sunshine Coast, and records extreme UV (11+) for virtually every month of the year. The UV index routinely peaks at 13–14 in the lead-up to the wet season (August through November), with the surrounding sugar-cane country and Whitsunday-facing beaches placing residents in long-duration outdoor settings. Reflected UV from the Coral Sea adds up to 25% to direct readings, and wet-season cloud cover provides only partial relief — up to 80% of UV penetrates light cloud. Cancer Council Queensland and ARPANSA both classify the Central Queensland coast as one of Australia's highest-risk UV environments. SunSmart protection (SPF 50+, hat, UPF clothing) is recommended whenever the UV index reads 3 or higher, which in Mackay applies to almost every daylight hour, all year.

Peak UV season in Mackay: year-round; extreme August to April.

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 Mackay

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 Mackay 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 →Mackay weather hub →

UV Index Mackay — FAQs

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