About UV and sun protection times

Information on ultraviolet (UV) radiation is essential for our lives under the Australian sun. We have one of the highest levels of UV exposure and highest rates of skin cancer in the world.

UV levels and sun protection times are included in your local Bureau weather forecast, the BOM Weather app, and via maps and tables in MetEye. You can also use the free SunSmart app to view sun protection times and current UV levels.

Sun protection measures are recommended when the UV Index is 3 and above. Remember you can still get burnt on cool or cloudy days – so think UV, not heat.

Capital city forecasts

Sydney   |   Melbourne   |   Brisbane   |   Perth   |   Adelaide   |   Hobart   |   Canberra   |   Darwin

UV Index forecast and maps

This example shows where you can find the UV information:

An example showing the UV forecast on the Extended Forecast page

There are also maps of UV Index inside our forecast viewer 'MetEye'. The UV index can be selected from the left hand menu once you are in the viewer. Note that the viewer will open with wind speed and direction as a default setting.

An example showing the UV forecast in MetEye

To see how the values of UV change during the day the UV Index values are presented in our Detailed 3-Hourly Forecast tabular output. To view this output click on 'See text views for location' in the top right hand corner and you will be presented with a weather page for your selected location. Once more in the top right corner select 'Detailed 3-Hourly Forecast'.

The UV information is just under the temperatures.

An example showing the UV forecast on the Detailed 3-hourly forecast page

The UV forecast for the next four days is also available in the BOM Weather app.

Acknowledgement

The UV Index forecast is produced by the European Commission Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) which is managed by the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF).

Neither the European Commission, ECMWF or the Bureau of Meteorology accepts any responsibility or any liability for any use which is made of this item.

UV Index data on this website contains modified Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service Information.

Bureau of Meteorology

Check and protect

It is important for all Australians and visitors to look and listen for UV Index levels in local weather forecasts. Use a combination of sun protection measures – never rely on just one.

Think UV, not heat

UV radiation is not related to how hot or cold it is. You can still get burnt on cool or cloudy days.

Other information