Does Lord Howe Island need sun protection in winter?

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

Does the water make UV worse in Lord Howe Island?

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 Lord Howe Island today

Q: When does Lord Howe Island need sun protection?

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

Lord Howe Island is an island community in New South Wales at 31.6°S, with water on more than one side and little inland shade. Summer middays typically reach 10–12 (very high to extreme), and glare comes off the sea from every direction. 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 Lord Howe Island

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

When Lord Howe Island needs sun protection

Sun protection is needed in Lord Howe Island typically from September through April, and any other day UV reaches 3. With water on more than one side, reflection is the default, not a beach-only problem.

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 New South Wales

Cancer Council NSW: Sun-safety programs and skin-cancer support across New South Wales.

Frequently asked questions

When does Lord Howe Island need sun protection?: Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Lord Howe Island that is typically from September through April, and any other day UV reaches 3. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.
Does Lord Howe Island need sun protection in winter?: Not every day. Midwinter middays in Lord Howe Island often sit below UV 3, but clear late-winter days (from August in much of New South Wales) cross the threshold before the weather feels like spring. Check the live index.
Does the water make UV worse in Lord Howe Island?: 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.

Live UV nearby

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