When does Barrow Island need sun protection?

Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Barrow Island that is every day of the year. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.

Does Barrow Island need sun protection in winter?

Usually yes. At 20.8°S, winter middays in Barrow Island still commonly reach UV 3 or higher, the SunSmart threshold for Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide. Check today's live reading on this page before a long lunch outside.

Does the water make UV worse in Barrow Island?

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 Barrow Island today

Island Barrow Island (WA) sits at 20.8°S. Open water lifts the UV dose on top of a sky reading that commonly hits 11–13 (extreme) in January. This is tropical Australia: the UV index is extreme on most days and does not take a winter off.

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

Today and tomorrow in Barrow Island

Peak UV, temperature and conditions for Barrow Island. 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 island day in Barrow Island can still sit at protection levels. Why you burn on cloudy days.

When Barrow Island needs sun protection

Sun protection is needed in Barrow Island every day of the year. With water on more than one side, reflection is the default, not a beach-only problem.

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 Barrow Island need sun protection?: Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Barrow Island that is every day of the year. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.
Does Barrow Island need sun protection in winter?: Usually yes. At 20.8°S, winter middays in Barrow Island still commonly reach UV 3 or higher, the SunSmart threshold for Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide. Check today's live reading on this page before a long lunch outside.
Does the water make UV worse in Barrow Island?: 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.