Does Augusta need sun protection in winter?

Not every day. Midwinter middays in Augusta often sit below UV 3, but clear late-winter days (from August in much of Western Australia) cross the threshold before the weather feels like spring. Check the live index.

Does the water make UV worse in Augusta?

It can. Sand and water reflect ultraviolet, so skin that is not covered — including under the chin and on the tops of feet — picks up extra dose on top of the direct sun. The live UV index on this page is the sky reading; reflection is on top of that.

UV index in Augusta today

Q: When does Augusta need sun protection?

Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Augusta that is typically from September through April, and any other day UV reaches 3. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.

Augusta sits on the Western Australia coast at 34.3°S, where sand and water bounce extra UV onto uncovered skin. Sea breeze cools the air, not the ultraviolet: summer middays here typically reach 9–12 (very high to extreme). This is warm-temperate Australia: a long protection season from early spring through autumn, with the odd clear winter midday that still burns.

Live reading · data by Open-Meteo · reference monitoring by ARPANSA

Today and tomorrow in Augusta

Peak UV, temperature and conditions for Augusta. Tomorrow’s peak is the number to plan around if you’re heading out in the middle of the day.

Weather conditions right now

Cloud and rain cut heat more than they cut UV. A partly cloudy beach day in Augusta can still sit at protection levels. Why you burn on cloudy days.

When Augusta needs sun protection

Sun protection is needed in Augusta typically from September through April, and any other day UV reaches 3. On the water or the sand, reflection can lift your dose even when the forecast UV already looks high.

The threshold, per SunSmart and ARPANSA: whenever UV reaches 3 or above, Slip on covering clothing, Slop on SPF 50+ sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Seek shade and Slide on sunglasses. Read the full sun safety guide.

The UV scale at a glance

0–2Low
3–5Moderate
6–7High
8–10Very high
11+Extreme

Local support in Western Australia

Cancer Council WA: West Australian sun-safety campaigns and SunSmart schools.

Frequently asked questions

When does Augusta need sun protection?: Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Augusta that is typically from September through April, and any other day UV reaches 3. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.
Does Augusta need sun protection in winter?: Not every day. Midwinter middays in Augusta often sit below UV 3, but clear late-winter days (from August in much of Western Australia) cross the threshold before the weather feels like spring. Check the live index.
Does the water make UV worse in Augusta?: It can. Sand and water reflect ultraviolet, so skin that is not covered — including under the chin and on the tops of feet — picks up extra dose on top of the direct sun. The live UV index on this page is the sky reading; reflection is on top of that.