When does The Freshwater need sun protection?

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

Does The Freshwater need sun protection in winter?

Usually yes. At 29.4°S, winter middays in The Freshwater 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.

Does the water make UV worse in The Freshwater?

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 The Freshwater today

The Freshwater (NSW) is a coastal suburb at 29.4°S. Clear-sky summer peaks are typically 10–12 (very high to extreme), and the same UV that burns on the sand is still there on a cool, windy arvo. 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 Freshwater

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

When The Freshwater needs sun protection

Sun protection is needed in The Freshwater most of the year, including many winter middays. On the water or the sand, reflection can lift your dose even when the forecast UV already looks high.

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 The Freshwater need sun protection?: Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In The Freshwater that is most of the year, including many winter middays. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.
Does The Freshwater need sun protection in winter?: Usually yes. At 29.4°S, winter middays in The Freshwater 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.
Does the water make UV worse in The Freshwater?: 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.