UV Index in Melbourne, Australia

Last updated: May 3, 2025

Understanding the UV Index in Melbourne, Australia is crucial for protecting your skin and maintaining overall health. With a diverse climate characteristic of the Cfb zone, Melbourne experiences varying UV levels, particularly during the sunny months. Awareness of these levels helps in preventing sunburn and reducing the risk of long-term skin damage. During peak hours, typically between 11 AM and 1 PM, UV Index values can reach 4, indicating a moderate risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Stay informed and enjoy the outdoors safely by knowing when to apply sunscreen or seek shade!

Hourly UV Index in Melbourne

The UV Index for the day reveals a gradual increase in solar intensity as the sun climbs higher. Starting from a mild 1 at 07:00 and 08:00, the index nudges to 2 by 09:00 and peaks at 4 between 11:00 and 13:00, indicating a notable amount of UV exposure. As the afternoon progresses, the value slightly tapers off to 3 at 14:00 and dwindles down to 2 by 15:00. The evening brings a steep decline, with the index dropping to 1 at 16:00 and then to 0 after 18:00. Stay protected during the midday hours when the UV Index is at its highest!

Average solar exposure data for the current time of the year. Actual values may vary and depend on many factors, such as cloud cover, vegetation cover, surface type, etc.
Time	UVI	Category	Time to Burn
07:00	1	low	45 min
08:00	1	low	45 min
09:00	2	low	45 min
10:00	3	moderate	30 min
11:00	4	moderate	30 min
12:00	4	moderate	30 min
13:00	4	moderate	30 min
14:00	3	moderate	30 min
15:00	2	low	45 min
16:00	1	low	45 min
17:00	1	low	45 min
18:00	0	low	45 min
19:00	0	low	45 min

Monthly UV Index Trends in Melbourne

Throughout the year, UV Index levels fluctuate significantly, indicating varying degrees of sun exposure risk. The high-risk months for UV exposure are January, February, March, November, and December, each exhibiting an extreme UV Index with a burn time of just 10 minutes. Following these months, April and September score a high UV Index, where a burn can occur in 25 minutes. Conversely, the UV Index drops to moderate levels in May, June, July, and August, allowing for safer outdoor activities with longer burn times of 30 minutes. October sees a shift back to a very high UV Index, with a burn time of only 15 minutes. Therefore, visitors and residents alike should exercise caution during the extreme months, ensuring adequate sun protection, and be mindful of the moderate months for prolonged outdoor enjoyment with fewer risks.

Monthly Maximum UV Index for Melbourne, Australia

The monthly maximum UV Index (UVI) represents the highest UV radiation level recorded each month in Melbourne. It measures the strength of ultraviolet radiation from the sun and helps assess the risk of sunburn and UV-related health issues.

Data source: Statistical UV Index data for Melbourne, based on information from the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

UV Risk Categories

Extreme (11+): Avoid the sun, stay in shade.
Very High (8-10): Limit sun exposure.
High (6-7): Use SPF 30+ and protective clothing.
Moderate (3-5): Midday shade recommended.
Low (0-2): No protection needed.

Compare Melbourne UV Index with Other Australia Cities

The table above highlights how UV exposure in Melbourne compares to other major locations across Australia. This comparison helps travelers and residents better understand regional sun intensity and plan outdoor activities with sun safety in mind.

Melbourne's solar exposure compared to other cities in Australia. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information.
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Melbourne	14	12	11	7	4	3	3	5	7	9	12	14
Adelaide UVI	14	13	12	8	5	3	4	5	7	10	12	15
Sydney UVI	14	13	11	8	5	3	4	6	8	10	12	14
Perth UVI	14	14	11	9	6	4	4	6	8	11	13	14
Brisbane UVI	15	15	13	10	7	5	5	8	9	12	14	15