August 13, 2026 · New York, USA
8,175,133 people
See today's UV index in New York 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 New York's coordinates and updated daily.
Sunscreen recommended
Protection windowClear sky
Daylight: sunrise 06:05 – sunset 19:58
Tomorrow: UV 7 at its peak around 13:00
The UV index in New York peaks at 5 (moderate) around 13:00 today. Sun protection is recommended between 11:06 and 15:52, while the index stays at 3 or above. Cloud cover is damping the peak by roughly 20% compared with a clear sky. Tomorrow the index is forecast to peak at 7 around 13:00.
| Time | UV index | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 06:00 | 0 | Low |
| 07:00 | 0.2 | Low |
| 08:00 | 0.8 | Low |
| 09:00 | 1.8 | Low |
| 10:00 | 2.6 | Low |
| 11:00 | 2.8 | Low |
| 12:00 | 4.8 | Moderate |
| 13:00 | 5.3 | Moderate |
| 14:00 | 5.2 | Moderate |
| 15:00 | 4.3 | Moderate |
| 16:00 | 2.8 | Low |
| 17:00 | 1.5 | Low |
| 18:00 | 0.6 | Low |
| 19:00 | 0.2 | Low |
| 20:00 | 0 | Low |
New York lies at 41°N. The midday sun reaches 63.9° above the horizon in New York today, against a yearly ceiling of 72.7°. Elevation is what sets the ceiling for UV, and over New York it is high enough for the index to reach very high values through the summer months. New York is on the coast, where water and sand reflect UV back up at you and the sea breeze hides the heat that would otherwise send you into the shade.
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.
| 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. |