UV Index in Sydney Today
September 28, 2026 · Sydney, Australia
4,627,345 people
See today's UV index in Sydney 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 Sydney's coordinates and updated daily.
UV rises later today
Hour by hour
Clouds cut the peak by ~50%Protection windowClear sky
Remember today
- Sunscreen SPF 30+
- Sunglasses
Daylight: sunrise 05:38 – sunset 17:56
Tomorrow: UV 4 at its peak around 11:00
The UV index in Sydney peaks at 4 (moderate) around 12:00 today. Sun protection is recommended between 10:00 and 13:24, while the index stays at 3 or above. Cloud cover is damping the peak by roughly 50% compared with a clear sky. Tomorrow the index is forecast to peak at 4 around 11:00.
UV index in Sydney hour by hour
| Time | UV index | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 05:00 | 0 | Low |
| 06:00 | 0.1 | Low |
| 07:00 | 0.6 | Low |
| 08:00 | 1.4 | Low |
| 09:00 | 2.3 | Low |
| 10:00 | 3 | Moderate |
| 11:00 | 3.6 | Moderate |
| 12:00 | 3.7 | Moderate |
| 13:00 | 3.4 | Moderate |
| 14:00 | 2.4 | Low |
| 15:00 | 1.3 | Low |
| 16:00 | 0.5 | Low |
| 17:00 | 0.1 | Low |
| 18:00 | 0 | Low |
UV index in Sydney
Sydney lies at 34°S. The midday sun reaches 57.9° above the horizon in Sydney today, against a yearly ceiling of 79.6°. Elevation is what sets the ceiling for UV, and over Sydney it is high enough for the index to reach very high values through the summer months. Sydney 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. |