UV index near you
UV index today near
No protection needed. You can safely stay outside using minimal sun protection.
Hour by hour today
Low (1-2)Moderate to high (3-7)Very high to extreme (8+)
Today's UV index in big U.S. cities
The EPA's daily UV index forecast for each city, with the value for the current hour. Refreshed every 30 minutes.
What the UV index means
The EPA describes it like this: "The UV Index provides a forecast of the expected risk of overexposure to UV radiation from the sun." It runs from 1 (low) to 11 or more (extremely high). The higher the number, the faster unprotected skin and eyes can be damaged.
| UV index | EPA level | EPA advice |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Low | "No protection needed. You can safely stay outside using minimal sun protection." |
| 3-7 | Moderate to High | "Protection needed. Seek shade during late morning through mid-afternoon. When outside, generously apply broad-spectrum SPF-15 or higher sunscreen on exposed skin, and wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses." |
| 8+ | Very High to Extreme | "Extra protection needed. Be careful outside, especially during late morning through mid-afternoon. If your shadow is shorter than you, seek shade and wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, and generously apply a minimum of SPF-15, broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin." |
Quoted from the EPA's UV Index Scale page. The colors in this tool are our own design, not part of the EPA scale.
The shadow rule
No tool at hand? The EPA gives a simple check: "If your shadow is taller than you are (in the early morning and late afternoon), your UV exposure is likely to be lower." And: "If your shadow is shorter than you are (around midday), you are being exposed to higher levels of UV radiation. Seek shade and protect your skin and eyes."
How the forecast is made
According to the EPA, "The National Weather Service calculates the UV index forecast for most ZIP codes across the U.S., and EPA publishes this information." The model relates the strength of UV at ground level to the forecast stratospheric ozone, the forecast cloud amounts and the elevation of the ground. That is why the same day can bring a very different UV index in Denver than in Chicago. When the forecast is higher than normal, the EPA can issue a UV Alert; this tool shows it when there is one.
The "Tomorrow" tile is different: it is MET Norway's clear-sky UV index, the value without any clouds. On a cloudy day the real UV will be lower, so read it as the most it could be.
Quick answers
What is the UV index today?
It depends on your location and the hour. Press "Use my location" or enter your ZIP code above: you get today's EPA forecast hour by hour, the peak and the hours when protection is needed.
Is a UV index of 6 high?
On the EPA scale 6 falls in "Moderate to High" (3 to 7): protection needed, with shade during late morning through mid-afternoon, SPF-15 or higher sunscreen, protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
Why does it show UV 0 right now?
Outside the forecast hours, early in the morning and in the evening, the sun is too low or down. The tool then shows today's UV index from the EPA forecast instead.
What will the UV index be tomorrow?
The EPA forecast in this tool is for today. For tomorrow we show MET Norway's clear-sky UV, the value without clouds, as the most it could be.
What happens with my location?
If you press "Use my location", your browser asks for permission and sends your position to our server once. We only use it to find the nearest ZIP code and do not store it.
Does it work outside the U.S.?
No. The EPA forecast is for U.S. ZIP codes only.
Sources: EPA: UV Index Scale · EPA: Learn about the UV Index · EPA Envirofacts web services (UV forecast by ZIP) · MET Norway Locationforecast (clear-sky UV, CC BY 4.0) · National Weather Service API (time zone) · U.S. Census Bureau: Gazetteer Files (ZCTA)
