UV index in Melbourne today
Melbourne's four-seasons-in-a-day weather hides a consistent truth: from spring to autumn the UV index regularly climbs above 3 even when it's cool and overcast. Victoria is the home of the SunSmart program, born here for good reason.
Today’s peak: 3.5 (moderate) around 2 pm
Temperature: 10°C. Remember, UV and heat are unrelated
Protection: No protection needed for most people, unless outside for extended periods or near reflective surfaces like snow and water.
What does UV 0 mean for your skin?
Check my tan timeReading updates roughly every 30 minutes · data by Open-Meteo · reference monitoring by ARPANSA
When Melbourne needs sun protection
SunSmart Victoria recommends daily sun protection from September to the end of April. In winter, UV usually drops below 3, but check before long days outdoors.
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.
Where the UV adds up in Melbourne
Long, happy hours outdoors are where exposure quietly accumulates. Local favourites where the five S’s earn their keep:
- St Kilda foreshore and Port Phillip Bay beaches
- The Tan and Royal Botanic Gardens
- Yarra Trail bike paths
- MCG and suburban sports grounds on match day
The UV scale at a glance
- 0–2Low
- 3–5Moderate
- 6–7High
- 8–10Very high
- 11+Extreme
Local support in Victoria
Cancer Council Victoria: Runs the SunSmart program that pioneered UV-based sun protection advice.