Does Mount Wellington need sun protection in winter?

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

Can you burn on a cool day in Mount Wellington?

Yes. UV is not heat. A cool, windy or lightly cloudy day in Mount Wellington can still sit at UV 3 or above, especially from spring through autumn. Temperature on this page is for context only; the UV number is what decides protection.

UV index in Mount Wellington today

Mount Wellington sits in Auckland high country at 36.9°S, where thinner air lets more UV through than the cool temperature suggests. Summer middays typically reach 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 Mount Wellington

Peak UV, temperature and conditions for Mount Wellington. 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 high-country day in Mount Wellington can still sit at protection levels. Why you burn on cloudy days.

When Mount Wellington needs sun protection

Sun protection is needed in Mount Wellington typically from September through April, and any other day UV reaches 3. Altitude lets more UV through; a cool lookout is still protection weather when the index is 3 or above.

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 Mount Wellington need sun protection?: Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Mount Wellington 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 Mount Wellington need sun protection in winter?: Not every day. Midwinter middays in Mount Wellington often sit below UV 3, but clear late-winter days (from August in much of Auckland) cross the threshold before the weather feels like spring. Check the live index.
Can you burn on a cool day in Mount Wellington?: Yes. UV is not heat. A cool, windy or lightly cloudy day in Mount Wellington can still sit at UV 3 or above, especially from spring through autumn. Temperature on this page is for context only; the UV number is what decides protection.