When does Costello need sun protection?

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

Does Costello need sun protection in winter?

Usually yes. At 21.2°S, winter middays in Costello 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.

Is UV worse in dry inland Costello?

Often the dose is higher than a coastal day at the same index, because there is so little shade or haze. At 21.2°S the sky is frequently clear, so the live reading on this page is what you get — not a filtered version.

UV index in Costello today

Costello sits in dry inland Northern Territory at 21.2°S, where clear skies and almost no shade make UV harsher than the already-high index. Summer middays typically reach 11–13 (extreme). 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 Costello

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

When Costello needs sun protection

Sun protection is needed in Costello every day of the year. Dry air and almost no natural shade mean the index on this page is the whole story — there is little cloud or tree cover to blunt it.

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 Northern Territory

Cancer Council NT: Prevention and support for the Top End, where UV stays extreme year-round.

Frequently asked questions

When does Costello need sun protection?: Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Costello that is every day of the year. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.
Does Costello need sun protection in winter?: Usually yes. At 21.2°S, winter middays in Costello 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.
Is UV worse in dry inland Costello?: Often the dose is higher than a coastal day at the same index, because there is so little shade or haze. At 21.2°S the sky is frequently clear, so the live reading on this page is what you get — not a filtered version.