Does Jacksonville need sun protection in winter?

Not every day. Midwinter middays in Jacksonville often sit below UV 3, but clear late-winter and early-spring days cross the threshold before summer fully arrives. Check the live index.

Does the water make UV worse in Jacksonville?

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 Jacksonville today

Jacksonville (FL) is a coastal suburb at 30.3°S. Clear-sky summer peaks are typically 10–12 (very high to extreme), and the same UV that burns on the sand is still there on a cool, windy arvo. This is warm-temperate America: a long protection season from spring through fall, with clear winter days that can still burn.

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

Today and tomorrow in Jacksonville

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

When Jacksonville needs sun protection

Sun protection is needed in Jacksonville typically from April through October, 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

Frequently asked questions

When does Jacksonville need sun protection?: Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Jacksonville that is typically from April through October, and any other day UV reaches 3. The EPA Sun Safety action steps apply at the same threshold used worldwide.
Does Jacksonville need sun protection in winter?: Not every day. Midwinter middays in Jacksonville often sit below UV 3, but clear late-winter and early-spring days cross the threshold before summer fully arrives. Check the live index.
Does the water make UV worse in Jacksonville?: 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.