Live UV forecast for 6 cities
Iceland stretches from 63.9981° to 65.6835° latitude (Northern hemisphere), so UV conditions differ a lot from region to region. The clear-sky UV index reaches ≈ 5.8 in Hafnarfjoerdur (peak in June), while in Akureyri the yearly maximum is only ≈ 5.6.
| Zone | Cities | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-latitude | 6 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 4 | 5.1 | 5.8 | 5.6 | 4.6 | 3.3 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 5.8 |
Calculated clear-sky noon peaks at the average latitude of each zone. Real values vary with clouds, altitude and ozone.
Using Reykjavik as a reference: the UV index reaches 6+ in rarely any month. 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 ≈ 5.8 — in Hafnarfjoerdur around June. Values above this occur only near the equator and in high mountains.
Hafnarfjoerdur (peak ≈ 5.8), followed by Keflavik and Kopavogur. The mildest sun is in Akureyri (max ≈ 5.6).
Most of Iceland rarely exceeds UV 5: SPF 30 on bright days is enough. Protection is advised from UV 3.
No — the local maximum is ≈ 5.8. UV 11+ occurs only near the equator, in deserts and high mountains.