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.

Newcastle UV Index — Live Readings & Forecast

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

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Live UV index — Newcastle

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

Nearby UV pages

Compare Newcastle's UV reading with other centres in New South Wales.

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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 — Newcastle

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

Newcastle's coastal location and clear summer skies push the UV index to extreme (11+) on most days between November and February. The Hunter region's beaches — Merewether, Nobbys, Bar Beach — are popular year-round, and the cooling NE sea breeze frequently disguises the underlying UV intensity. Cancer Council NSW notes that reflected UV from sand and water can add up to 25% to direct exposure, so beach umbrellas alone are not enough protection. Newcastle Harbour, the Hunter Valley wine region and the Lake Macquarie foreshore all see similar peaks. Sun protection (SPF 50+ sunscreen, broad-brimmed hat, UPF clothing, sunglasses) is recommended whenever the UV index reads 3 or higher, which in Newcastle applies from late September through to April. Live UV data on this page updates hourly from Open-Meteo and the closest ARPANSA monitoring stations.

Peak UV season in Newcastle: 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 Newcastle

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 Newcastle 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 NSW →Newcastle weather hub →

UV Index Newcastle — FAQs

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