Does City need sun protection in winter?

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

Does city shade protect you from UV in City?

Only while you stay in it. Buildings cut some sky, but plazas, crossings and glass bounce UV onto uncovered skin. The live index on this page is the open-sky reading — treat lunch outside as full-sun time whenever it is 3 or above.

UV index in City today

Q: When does City need sun protection?

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

City is the Australian Capital Territory city centre at 35.3°S. Pavement, glass and lunchtime parks bounce UV around between buildings, and summer middays 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 City

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

When City needs sun protection

Sun protection is needed in City typically from September through April, and any other day UV reaches 3. A shaded laneway is not a shaded day: step into a plaza or the commute and the index is the one on this page.

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 Australian Capital Territory

Cancer Council ACT: Sun-safety advice and support for the Canberra region.

Frequently asked questions

When does City need sun protection?: Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In City that is typically from September through April, and any other day UV reaches 3. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.
Does City need sun protection in winter?: Not every day. Midwinter middays in City often sit below UV 3, but clear late-winter days (from August in much of Australian Capital Territory) cross the threshold before the weather feels like spring. Check the live index.
Does city shade protect you from UV in City?: Only while you stay in it. Buildings cut some sky, but plazas, crossings and glass bounce UV onto uncovered skin. The live index on this page is the open-sky reading — treat lunch outside as full-sun time whenever it is 3 or above.