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.

Sunshine Coast UV Index — Live Readings & Forecast

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

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Live UV index — Sunshine Coast

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

Nearby UV pages

Compare Sunshine Coast's UV reading with other centres in Queensland.

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7-day UV forecast — Sunshine Coast

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

From Caloundra to Noosa Heads, the Sunshine Coast sits firmly in Queensland's year-round extreme UV zone. Daily UV readings routinely reach 12–13 between October and March, and remain in the high band (6+) even in winter. The region's outdoor lifestyle — Mooloolaba beaches, Glass House Mountains walks, Noosa National Park — places residents and visitors at sustained UV risk. Cancer Council Queensland highlights that the Sunshine Coast's combination of latitude, clear skies and reflective sand and water produces some of the highest measured surface UV in the country. Wet season cloud and afternoon storms provide only limited relief; up to 80% of UV penetrates light cloud. ARPANSA's SunSmart guidance applies whenever the UV index reads 3 or higher — on the Sunshine Coast that is effectively every daylight hour.

Peak UV season in Sunshine Coast: year-round, peaking October 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 Sunshine Coast

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 Sunshine Coast 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 →Sunshine Coast weather hub →

UV Index Sunshine Coast — FAQs

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