UV Index in Kingston Today
September 3, 2026 · Kingston, Jamaica
Capital937,700 people
See today's UV index in Kingston hour by hour below. The UV index shows how strong the sun's ultraviolet radiation is — the higher the number, the faster skin can burn. Values are calculated for Kingston's coordinates and updated daily.
Extra protection needed
Hour by hour
Clouds cut the peak by ~12%Protection windowClear sky
Remember today
- Sunscreen SPF 50+
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Shade at midday
- Cover up
Daylight: sunrise 05:54 – sunset 18:21
Tomorrow: UV 11 at its peak around 12:00
The UV index in Kingston peaks at 9 (very high) around 11:00 today. Sun protection is recommended between 08:25 and 15:00, while the index stays at 3 or above. Cloud cover is damping the peak by roughly 12% compared with a clear sky. Tomorrow the index is forecast to peak at 11 around 12:00.
UV index in Kingston hour by hour
| Time | UV index | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 05:00 | 0 | Low |
| 06:00 | 0.1 | Low |
| 07:00 | 0.6 | Low |
| 08:00 | 2.1 | Low |
| 09:00 | 4.3 | Moderate |
| 10:00 | 7.2 | High |
| 11:00 | 9.2 | Very high |
| 12:00 | 9.1 | Very high |
| 13:00 | 8.2 | Very high |
| 14:00 | 5.4 | Moderate |
| 15:00 | 3 | Moderate |
| 16:00 | 1.4 | Low |
| 17:00 | 0.5 | Low |
| 18:00 | 0.1 | Low |
| 19:00 | 0 | Low |
UV index in Kingston
Kingston lies at 18°N. The midday sun reaches 79.5° above the horizon in Kingston today, and twice a year it passes straight overhead. Elevation is what sets the ceiling for UV, and over Kingston it is so steep that the rays take the shortest possible path through the atmosphere, and the index can reach extreme values.
What is the UV index?
The UV index is an international scale describing the strength of the sun's ultraviolet radiation at ground level. It starts at 0 and is effectively open-ended — at mid-latitudes it rarely exceeds 8, while in the tropics and high in the mountains it can pass 11. The higher the number, the less time it takes to get sunburnt.
The UV index depends mainly on how high the sun is in the sky. That is why it peaks around solar noon and is greatest in summer near the longest day of the year. Clouds, ozone, altitude and reflection from snow or water also affect the value.
The WHO UV scale
| UV index | Level | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 | Low | No special protection needed. |
| 3–5 | Moderate | Use sunscreen (SPF 30+), seek shade around midday. |
| 6–7 | High | Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. Avoid the sun 12:00–15:00. |
| 8–10 | Very high | Extra protection. Limit midday sun exposure. |
| 11+ | Extreme | Avoid the sun at midday. Full protection required. |