What is the UV index in Washington, D.C. today?

See today's UV index for Washington, D.C. 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.

Daylight Hours › UV Index › Washington, D.C.

UV Index in Washington, D.C. Today

October 17, 2026 · Washington, D.C., USA

Capital601,723 people

See today's UV index in Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C.'s coordinates and updated daily.

UV now · 22:00

0Low

UV has dropped for today

Peak today3at 13:00

Protect yourself12:50–14:12UV 3 or above

Time to burn~55 minfair skin, unprotected

Hour by hour

Clouds cut the peak by ~26%

Protection windowClear sky

Remember today

Sunscreen SPF 30+
Sunglasses

Daylight: sunrise 07:20 – sunset 18:28

Tomorrow: UV 4 at its peak around 13:00

Calculate for Washington, D.C.Use my location

The UV index in Washington, D.C. peaks at 3 (moderate) around 13:00 today. Sun protection is recommended between 12:50 and 14:12, while the index stays at 3 or above. Cloud cover is damping the peak by roughly 26% compared with a clear sky. Tomorrow the index is forecast to peak at 4 around 13:00.

UV index in Washington, D.C. hour by hour

Time	UV index	Level
07:00	0	Low
08:00	0.1	Low
09:00	0.2	Low
10:00	0.5	Low
11:00	1.1	Low
12:00	2	Low
13:00	3.2	Moderate
14:00	3.2	Moderate
15:00	2.2	Low
16:00	1.2	Low
17:00	0.4	Low
18:00	0.1	Low
19:00	0	Low

UV index in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. lies at 39°N. The midday sun reaches 41.8° above the horizon in Washington, D.C. today, against a yearly ceiling of 74.5°. Elevation is what sets the ceiling for UV, and over Washington, D.C. it is high enough for the index to reach very high values through the summer months.

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.

See also sunrise, sunset and daylight hours in Washington, D.C..