When does Townsville need sun protection?

Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Townsville that is every day of the year. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.

Does Townsville need sun protection in winter?

Usually yes. At 19.3°S, winter middays in Townsville 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 Townsville?

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 Townsville today

Townsville bills itself as Australia's sunniest city, around 320 days of sunshine a year, and pairs that with tropical UV that stays at protective levels every single month. The dry, clear winters that make it so liveable are exactly the days that catch visitors out.

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

Today and tomorrow in Townsville

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

When Townsville needs sun protection

Sun protection is needed year-round in Townsville: midwinter middays still sit in the high range, and the wet-season build-up brings months of extreme readings.

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 Townsville

Long, happy hours outdoors are where exposure quietly accumulates. Local favourites where the five S’s earn their keep:

The Strand and its rock pool
Castle Hill's goat track at any hour
Magnetic Island's bays and walking trails
Riverway parklands along the Ross

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 Townsville need sun protection?: Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Townsville that is every day of the year. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.
Does Townsville need sun protection in winter?: Usually yes. At 19.3°S, winter middays in Townsville 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 Townsville?: 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.