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.

Qld UV Index — Live Readings & Forecast

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

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Live UV index across Queensland

Compare current UV in Brisbane and regional Queensland. Peak season: year-round, peaking September to March. Tap any card for the full 7-day forecast and SunSmart advice.

Full Queensland weather forecast

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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 — Brisbane

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

Queensland records Australia's most extreme year-round UV. Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast see UV 11+ for more than half the year, and tropical centres like Cairns and Townsville sit in the extreme band almost every month. Cloud cover from the wet season provides only partial relief — up to 80% of UV penetrates light cloud. Cancer Council Queensland reports the state's outdoor lifestyle drives the highest melanoma rates in the world, making the UV index a non-negotiable daily check. Sun protection (SPF 50+, hat, shade) is recommended whenever the index reads 3 or higher, which is virtually every daylight hour from September through to March.

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 Queensland

Cancer Council Queensland 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, cloudy days still carry sunburn risk in Queensland.

National UV index hub →7-day Australian UV forecast →Queensland weather hub →Heatwave forecasts & warnings →

UV Index Queensland — FAQs

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