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.

Mount Gambier UV Index — Live Readings & Forecast

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

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Live UV index — Mount Gambier

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

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Compare Mount Gambier's UV reading with other centres in South Australia.

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7-day UV forecast — Mount Gambier

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

Mount Gambier sits at 37.8°S in SA's volcanic Limestone Coast and records summer UV peaks of 10–12 (very high to extreme) on clear afternoons between November and February. The Blue Lake, Umpherston Sinkhole and the surrounding limestone country are popular outdoor settings, and the city's cleaner inland atmosphere allows more UV-B to reach the surface than equivalently positioned coastal cities. Cancer Council SA flags the cool, dry climate as a leading cause of underestimated UV exposure across the Limestone Coast. Solar noon UV peaks around 1:30pm ACDT under daylight saving. ARPANSA recommends sun protection whenever the UV index reads 3 or higher, which in Mount Gambier typically applies from October through to April. Live UV on this page updates hourly from Open-Meteo with a 7-day forecast for planning outdoor activity.

Peak UV season in Mount Gambier: 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 Mount Gambier

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 Mount Gambier 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 South Australia →Mount Gambier weather hub →

UV Index Mount Gambier — FAQs

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