When does Lake Austin need sun protection?

Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Lake Austin that is most of the year, including many winter middays. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.

Does Lake Austin need sun protection in winter?

Usually yes. At 27.5°S, winter middays in Lake Austin 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 Lake Austin?

It can. The lake surface 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 Lake Austin today

Lakeside Lake Austin (WA) is 27.5° south. Time on the water or the foreshore adds reflection on top of a January sky that commonly reaches 11–13 (extreme). This is subtropical sun: protection weather for most of the year, with winter middays that still often reach 3 or more.

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

Today and tomorrow in Lake Austin

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

When Lake Austin needs sun protection

Sun protection is needed in Lake Austin most of the year, including many winter middays. Lake glare adds a second dose on top of the sky reading, the same way a beach does.

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 Lake Austin need sun protection?: Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Lake Austin that is most of the year, including many winter middays. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.
Does Lake Austin need sun protection in winter?: Usually yes. At 27.5°S, winter middays in Lake Austin 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 Lake Austin?: It can. The lake surface 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.