Live UV forecast for 313 cities
Australia stretches from -42.8794° to -12.4611° latitude (Southern hemisphere), so UV conditions differ a lot from region to region. The clear-sky UV index reaches ≈ 9.9 in Darwin (peak in February), while in Hobart the yearly maximum is only ≈ 7.7. As in the whole Southern hemisphere, the sun is strongest from November to February — opposite to Europe and North America.
| Zone | Cities | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical | 10 | 9.4 | 9.4 | 8.9 | 8.1 | 7.2 | 6.6 | 6.9 | 7.7 | 8.5 | 9.1 | 9.4 | 9.4 | 9.4 |
| Subtropical | 160 | 8.3 | 7.9 | 7.1 | 5.8 | 4.8 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 5.3 | 6.4 | 7.4 | 8.1 | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Temperate | 143 | 8 | 7.5 | 6.4 | 5 | 3.9 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 5.7 | 6.9 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 8.1 |
Calculated clear-sky noon peaks at the average latitude of each zone. Real values vary with clouds, altitude and ozone.
Using Sydney as a reference: the UV index reaches 6+ in January, February, March, September, October, November and December. In the sunniest zones (see table) SPF 30–50+ is needed almost year-round; in the mildest — only in late spring and summer.
The calculated clear-sky maximum is ≈ 9.9 — in Darwin around February. Values above this occur only near the equator and in high mountains.
Darwin (peak ≈ 9.9), followed by Palmerston and Cairns. The mildest sun is in Hobart (max ≈ 7.7).
In Sydney and similar latitudes the UV reaches 6+ in January, February, March, September, October, November and December: use SPF 30–50+ on sunny days. Protection is advised from UV 3.
No — the local maximum is ≈ 9.9. UV 11+ occurs only near the equator, in deserts and high mountains.