Does Lake Ohia need sun protection in winter?

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

Does the water make UV worse in Lake Ohia?

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 Ohia today

Lake Ohia sits on the water in Northland at 35.0°S. Lake glare works like a beach: UV from above and off the surface, with summer middays typically 9–11 (very high to extreme). This is warm-temperate New Zealand: a long protection season from early spring through autumn, with clear winter days that can still burn.

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

Today and tomorrow in Lake Ohia

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

When Lake Ohia needs sun protection

Sun protection is needed in Lake Ohia typically from September through April, and any other day UV reaches 3. 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

Frequently asked questions

When does Lake Ohia need sun protection?: Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Lake Ohia that is typically from September through April, and any other day UV reaches 3. SunSmart NZ and NIWA use the same UV Index scale as Australia.
Does Lake Ohia need sun protection in winter?: Not every day. Midwinter middays in Lake Ohia often sit below UV 3, but clear late-winter days (from August in much of Northland) cross the threshold before the weather feels like spring. Check the live index.
Does the water make UV worse in Lake Ohia?: 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.