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.

Mornington Peninsula UV Index — Live Readings & Forecast

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

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Live UV index — Mornington Peninsula

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

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Compare Mornington Peninsula's UV reading with other centres in Victoria.

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7-day UV forecast — Mornington Peninsula

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

The Mornington Peninsula — Frankston, Mount Eliza, Rosebud, Sorrento and Portsea — sits at 38.2°S south-east of Melbourne and combines bay and ocean beaches with a heavily outdoor-oriented community. The UV index routinely reaches 10–12 (very high to extreme) on clear summer afternoons between November and February, with the popular ocean beaches at Gunnamatta and Rye amplifying exposure through sand and water reflection. Cancer Council Victoria notes that the cool maritime air across the peninsula frequently masks UV intensity — the breeze keeps temperatures comfortable while sunburn risk remains high. Solar noon UV peaks around 1:20pm AEDT under daylight saving. ARPANSA recommends sun protection whenever the UV index reads 3 or higher, which on the Mornington Peninsula typically applies from mid-September through to April.

Peak UV season in Mornington Peninsula: November to February.

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 Mornington Peninsula

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 Mornington Peninsula 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 Victoria →Mornington Peninsula weather hub →

UV Index Mornington Peninsula — FAQs

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