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.

Perth UV Index — Live Readings & Forecast

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

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Live UV index — Perth

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

Nearby UV pages

Compare Perth's UV reading with other centres in Western Australia.

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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 — Perth

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

The UV index in Perth reaches extreme (11–13) on most clear days from October through April, driven by long daylight hours, low cloud cover and exceptionally clear WA summer atmosphere. At 32°S Perth sits at a similar latitude to Sydney but receives more sunshine hours than any other Australian capital, producing the highest annual UV dose of the southern mainland capitals. WA does not observe daylight saving, so solar noon UV peaks around 12:25pm AWST. Cancer Council WA highlights that the Fremantle Doctor sea breeze frequently masks the underlying UV — a breezy 28°C afternoon at Cottesloe or Scarborough can still deliver UV 12. ARPANSA recommends sun protection whenever the UV index reaches 3, a threshold crossed by mid-morning from September through to May. Live UV readings on this page update hourly from Open-Meteo, with a 7-day forecast for planning beach, sport and outdoor work activity.

Peak UV season in Perth: October to April, peaking December–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 Perth

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 Perth 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 Western Australia →Perth weather hub →

UV Index Perth — FAQs

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