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.

Rockhampton UV Index — Live Readings & Forecast

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

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Live UV index — Rockhampton

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

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Compare Rockhampton's UV reading with other centres in Queensland.

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7-day UV forecast — Rockhampton

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

Rockhampton straddles the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.4°S and records extreme UV (11–13) on most clear days from September through to March, with the index remaining in the very high band through winter. The Capricorn Coast (Yeppoon, Emu Park) and the inland cattle country around the Fitzroy River both see long-duration outdoor exposure under intense overhead sun. Cancer Council Queensland highlights Central Queensland's dry winter sunshine as a leading cause of underestimated cumulative UV dose. Solar noon UV peaks around 11:45am AEST (Queensland does not observe daylight saving). ARPANSA's SunSmart guidance applies whenever the UV index reads 3 or higher, which in Rockhampton is effectively every daylight hour for most of the year. This page shows live UV updated hourly from Open-Meteo, plus a 7-day forecast.

Peak UV season in Rockhampton: year-round; extreme September 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 Rockhampton

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 Rockhampton 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 Queensland →Rockhampton weather hub →

UV Index Rockhampton — FAQs

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