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.

Sydney UV Index — Live Readings & Forecast

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

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Live UV index — Sydney

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

Nearby UV pages

Compare Sydney'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 — Sydney

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

The UV index in Sydney regularly reaches extreme levels (11+) on clear summer days between November and February, and stays in the high-to-very-high band for most of the warmer half of the year. Sitting at 33.9°S with long daylight hours, the harbour city's beaches, parks and outdoor lifestyle mean residents accumulate one of the highest annual UV doses of any Australian capital. Cancer Council NSW and ARPANSA both recommend the SunSmart five whenever the UV index reaches 3 — a threshold typically crossed by mid-morning from September through to April, even on overcast days. Sea breezes off the Tasman frequently mask the burn risk: a 24°C southerly afternoon at Bondi or Manly can still deliver UV 10. Solar noon UV peaks around 12:50pm during daylight saving. Live UV readings on this page update hourly from Open-Meteo so you can plan outdoor activity, work breaks and sun-protection routines around real-time conditions.

Peak UV season in Sydney: October to March, peaking December–January.

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 Sydney

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 Sydney 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 →Sydney weather hub →

UV Index Sydney — FAQs

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