What is the UV index in Lusaka today?

See today's UV index for Lusaka hour by hour above. The UV index is highest around solar noon and depends on the season, the weather and how high the sun rises above the horizon.

When is the UV index highest?

The UV index peaks around solar noon, typically between 12:00 and 15:00, when the sun is highest in the sky. About two-thirds of the day’s total UV falls between 10:00 and 16:00.

When should you use sunscreen?

The WHO recommends sun protection whenever the UV index is 3 or higher. Use sunscreen of at least SPF 30, seek shade around midday, and wear sunglasses and a hat when UV is high.

UV Index in Lusaka Today

October 5, 2026 · Lusaka, Zambia

Capital1,267,440 people

See today's UV index in Lusaka 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 Lusaka's coordinates and updated daily.

UV now · 15:00

4Moderate

Sunscreen recommended

Peak today10at 12:00

Protect yourself08:38–15:23UV 3 or above

Time to burn~15 minfair skin, unprotected

Hour by hour

Clouds cut the peak by ~19%

Protection windowClear sky

Remember today

Sunscreen SPF 50+
Sunglasses
Hat
Shade at midday
Cover up

Daylight: sunrise 05:47 – sunset 18:05

Tomorrow: UV 12 at its peak around 12:00

Calculate for Lusaka Use my location

The UV index in Lusaka peaks at 10 (very high) around 12:00 today. Sun protection is recommended between 08:38 and 15:23, while the index stays at 3 or above. Cloud cover is damping the peak by roughly 19% compared with a clear sky. Tomorrow the index is forecast to peak at 12 around 12:00.

UV index in Lusaka hour by hour

Time	UV index	Level
05:00	0	Low
06:00	0.1	Low
07:00	0.7	Low
08:00	1.8	Low
09:00	3.7	Moderate
10:00	6	High
11:00	9.1	Very high
12:00	9.7	Very high
13:00	8.7	Very high
14:00	6.4	High
15:00	3.9	Moderate
16:00	1.6	Low
17:00	0.4	Low
18:00	0	Low
19:00	0	Low

UV index in Lusaka

Lusaka lies at 15°S. The midday sun reaches 79.2° above the horizon in Lusaka today, and twice a year it passes straight overhead. Elevation is what sets the ceiling for UV, and over Lusaka 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.