UV index in Sydney today
Between the harbour, a hundred ocean pools and beaches from Bondi to Cronulla, Sydneysiders rack up serious outdoor hours. Sydney's UV index reaches extreme levels on summer days and stays high enough to burn well into autumn, and sea breezes make it easy to underestimate.
Today’s peak: 4.4 (moderate) around 12 pm
Temperature: 12°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 1 mean for your skin?
Check my tan timeReading updates roughly every 30 minutes · data by Open-Meteo · reference monitoring by ARPANSA
When Sydney needs sun protection
Sun protection is typically needed from September through April, and on any day the UV index reaches 3, which in Sydney can happen even in winter around midday.
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 Sydney
Long, happy hours outdoors are where exposure quietly accumulates. Local favourites where the five S’s earn their keep:
- Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
- Manly and the northern beaches
- Royal Botanic Garden and the Domain
- Parramatta River parklands
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.