When does The Falls need sun protection?

Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In The Falls that is most of the year, including many winter middays. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.

Does The Falls need sun protection in winter?

Usually yes. At 28.3°S, winter middays in The Falls still commonly reach UV 3 or higher, the SunSmart threshold for Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide. Check today's live reading on this page before a long lunch outside.

Can you burn on a cool day in The Falls?

Yes. UV is not heat. A cool, windy or lightly cloudy day in The Falls 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 The Falls today

Mountain The Falls (QLD) is 28.3° south. Altitude lifts the UV dose, and typical January peaks of 10–12 (very high to extreme) arrive on days that still feel crisp. This is subtropical sun: protection weather for most of the year, with winter middays that still often reach 3 or more.

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

Today and tomorrow in The Falls

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

When The Falls needs sun protection

Sun protection is needed in The Falls most of the year, including many winter middays. 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

Local support in Queensland

Cancer Council Queensland: Prevention and support in the state with Australia's highest skin-cancer rates.

Frequently asked questions

When does The Falls need sun protection?: Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In The Falls that is most of the year, including many winter middays. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.
Does The Falls need sun protection in winter?: Usually yes. At 28.3°S, winter middays in The Falls still commonly reach UV 3 or higher, the SunSmart threshold for Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide. Check today's live reading on this page before a long lunch outside.
Can you burn on a cool day in The Falls?: Yes. UV is not heat. A cool, windy or lightly cloudy day in The Falls 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.