UV index forecast for the UK
Today's highest UV index across our network is 1, which is low. Sun protection is not usually needed at this level.
Peak UV by city, next seven days
| City | Today | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Mon | Tue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Manchester | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Birmingham | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Liverpool | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Leeds | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Newcastle | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Bristol | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Cardiff | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Edinburgh | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Glasgow | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Belfast | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Source: Open-Meteo. Updated
Today's peak UV on the map
As a list
- London0.7
- Manchester0.7
- Birmingham0.6
- Liverpool0.6
- Leeds0.7
- Newcastle0.3
- Bristol0.7
- Cardiff0.7
- Edinburgh0.5
- Glasgow0.4
- Belfast0.5
- Aberdeen0.3
- Inverness0.4
- Fort William0.4
- Stornoway0.3
- Lerwick0.8
- Dundee0.4
- Dumfries0.5
- Carlisle0.5
- Hull0.7
- Nottingham0.7
- Norwich0.7
- Cambridge0.7
- Southampton0.7
- Brighton0.5
- Exeter0.8
- Plymouth0.7
- Penzance0.7
- Swansea0.6
- Aberystwyth0.7
- Bangor0.7
- Derry0.5
- Enniskillen0.4
What the numbers mean
| UV index | Level | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 2 | Low | No protection needed for most people. |
| 3 to 5 | Moderate | Shade around midday, sunscreen, hat. |
| 6 to 7 | High | Cover up, SPF 30+, avoid the midday sun. |
| 8 and above | Very high | Extra care: unprotected skin can burn quickly. Rare in the UK. |
UV: questions
What UV level needs sun protection?
From 3 (moderate) upwards, health guidance is to seek shade around midday, cover up and use sunscreen of SPF 30 or more with good UVA protection. At 6 and above, take extra care, especially with children and fair skin.
Why is the UV index so low in winter?
Between late October and February the sun stays low in the UK sky, so its rays pass through much more atmosphere. The UV index rarely rises above 1 or 2, even on a clear day.
Can you burn on a cloudy day?
Yes. Thin or broken cloud lets most UV through, and the index shown already allows for the forecast cloud. It is the peak for the day, usually around 1pm.