UV Index Cairns today
Live UV index for Cairns, Queensland, with today’s peak, the hour-by-hour forecast and sun protection times in local time (AEST).
Live UV · 2pm What is the UV index? A scale of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) strength at ground level, from 0 to 11 and above. UV can’t be seen or felt and isn’t related to temperature, so it can be high on cool or overcast days.
8.6
Sun protection recommended until 5pm (UV 3+)
Peak 9.5 at 12pm · clear-sky max 9.5
- Band
- Very high
- Peak today
- 9.5 around 12pm
- Sun protection today
- 9am–5pm (UV 3+)
Very high. Skin damage can happen quickly. Use all five steps and seek shade in the middle of the day.
- 0–2 LowSun protection not usually needed. Protect if you’re outdoors for long periods or near reflective surfaces such as snow.
- 3–5 ModerateSun protection recommended: Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide.
- 6–7 HighSun protection recommended. Seek shade in the middle of the day.
- 8–10 Very highSun protection recommended. Skin damage can happen quickly; seek shade in the middle of the day.
- 11+ ExtremeSun protection recommended. Skin damage can happen very quickly; seek shade in the middle of the day.
Data updated 13 min ago
Protection times by day
Today Recorded Forecast
9am–5pm sun protection recommended · UV 3+ Protection times The hours when UV is forecast to be 3 or above. Sun protection is recommended during these times (Cancer Council, Bureau of Meteorology).
Peak 9.5 Very high around 12pm · sun up 5:36am–6:24pm
Tomorrow · Sun 8 Nov Forecast
9am–5pm sun protection recommended · UV 3+ Protection times The hours when UV is forecast to be 3 or above. Sun protection is recommended during these times (Cancer Council, Bureau of Meteorology).
Peak 9.5 Very high around 12pm · sun up 5:36am–6:24pm
Mon 9 Nov Forecast
9am–5pm sun protection recommended · UV 3+ Protection times The hours when UV is forecast to be 3 or above. Sun protection is recommended during these times (Cancer Council, Bureau of Meteorology).
Peak 9.5 Very high around 12pm · sun up 5:35am–6:25pm
Sun safety in Cairns
Very high. Skin damage can happen quickly. Use all five steps and seek shade in the middle of the day.
Why is UV so high here?
In Queensland, UV reaches 3 or above every day of the year, so sun protection is recommended year-round (Cancer Council Queensland). Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide whenever UV is 3 or above.
UV in Cairns: questions
When is UV highest in Cairns?
UV in Cairns is highest in the middle of the day, around solar noon, when the sun is highest in the sky. Today’s forecast peak in Cairns is UV 9.5 (Very high) around 12pm AEST. Cloud can lower it, so check the hourly forecast on the day.
What time do I need sun protection in Cairns today?
Today in Cairns, sun protection is recommended 9am–5pm AEST, when the UV index is forecast to be 3 or above. Use all five steps: Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide.
Is UV high in Cairns all year?
In Queensland, UV reaches 3 or above every day of the year, so sun protection is recommended year-round (Cancer Council Queensland).
Where does this UV data come from?
The UV values are forecast and model values from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), refreshed about every 10 minutes and shown in Cairns’s own time zone. They are not instrument readings; for official sun protection times see the Bureau of Meteorology or the SunSmart app.