Live UV forecast for 58 cities
New Zealand stretches from -46.4° to -35.7317° latitude (Southern hemisphere), so UV conditions differ a lot from region to region. The clear-sky UV index reaches ≈ 8.2 in Whangarei (peak in December), while in Invercargill the yearly maximum is only ≈ 7.5. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperate | 58 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 6.3 | 4.9 | 3.7 | 3 | 3.3 | 4.3 | 5.5 | 6.7 | 7.6 | 8 | 8 |
Calculated clear-sky noon peaks at the average latitude of each zone. Real values vary with clouds, altitude and ozone.
Using Auckland as a reference: the UV index reaches 6+ in January, February, March, 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 ≈ 8.2 — in Whangarei around December. Values above this occur only near the equator and in high mountains.
Whangarei (peak ≈ 8.2), followed by Auckland and Avondale. The mildest sun is in Invercargill (max ≈ 7.5).
In Auckland and similar latitudes the UV reaches 6+ in January, February, March, October, November and December: use SPF 30–50+ on sunny days. Protection is advised from UV 3.
No — the local maximum is ≈ 8.2. UV 11+ occurs only near the equator, in deserts and high mountains.