August 14, 2026 · Shanghai, China
22,315,474 people
See today's UV index in Shanghai 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 Shanghai's coordinates and updated daily.
Sunscreen recommended
Protection windowClear sky
Daylight: sunrise 05:20 – sunset 18:40
Tomorrow: UV 4 at its peak around 11:00
The UV index in Shanghai peaks at 3 (moderate) around 11:00 today. Sun protection is recommended between 10:51 and 11:30, while the index stays at 3 or above. Cloud cover is damping the peak by roughly 65% compared with a clear sky. Tomorrow the index is forecast to peak at 4 around 11:00.
| Time | UV index | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 05:00 | 0 | Low |
| 06:00 | 0.2 | Low |
| 07:00 | 0.6 | Low |
| 08:00 | 1.5 | Low |
| 09:00 | 1.6 | Low |
| 10:00 | 2.4 | Low |
| 11:00 | 3.1 | Moderate |
| 12:00 | 2.9 | Low |
| 13:00 | 2.4 | Low |
| 14:00 | 2 | Low |
| 15:00 | 1.4 | Low |
| 16:00 | 0.9 | Low |
| 17:00 | 0.3 | Low |
| 18:00 | 0.1 | Low |
| 19:00 | 0 | Low |
Shanghai lies at 31°N. The midday sun reaches 73.3° above the horizon in Shanghai today, against a yearly ceiling of 82.2°. Elevation is what sets the ceiling for UV, and over Shanghai it is so steep that the rays take the shortest possible path through the atmosphere, and the index can reach extreme values.
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. |