UV Index in Reykjavik Today
September 28, 2026 · Reykjavik, Iceland
Capital118,918 people
See today's UV index in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik's coordinates and updated daily.
No protection needed
Hour by hour
Clouds cut the peak by ~20%Clear sky
Remember today
- Safe to be outside unprotected
Daylight: sunrise 07:28 – sunset 19:10
Tomorrow: UV 1 at its peak around 13:00
The UV index in Reykjavik peaks at 1 (low) around 12:00 today. The index stays below 3 all day, so no particular sun protection is needed. Cloud cover is damping the peak by roughly 20% compared with a clear sky. Tomorrow the index is forecast to peak at 1 around 13:00.
UV index in Reykjavik hour by hour
| Time | UV index | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 0 | Low |
| 08:00 | 0.1 | Low |
| 09:00 | 0.2 | Low |
| 10:00 | 0.3 | Low |
| 11:00 | 0.6 | Low |
| 12:00 | 0.8 | Low |
| 13:00 | 0.8 | Low |
| 14:00 | 0.7 | Low |
| 15:00 | 0.6 | Low |
| 16:00 | 0.3 | Low |
| 17:00 | 0.2 | Low |
| 18:00 | 0.1 | Low |
| 19:00 | 0 | Low |
| 20:00 | 0 | Low |
UV index in Reykjavik
Reykjavik lies at 64°N. The midday sun reaches 23.9° above the horizon in Reykjavik today, against a yearly ceiling of 49.3°. Elevation is what sets the ceiling for UV, and over Reykjavik it is moderate, so the index peaks around midsummer and stays low all winter. Reykjavik 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.
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. |