Home / Editor's Pick /

All year UV safety: Don't be fooled by overcast skies

All year UV safety
Don't be fooled by overcast skies

Sun shines through  cloudsEven on cloudy days, UV-light can still break through.

Overcast conditions usually don’t inspire the need to check UV levels, but at any time of the year, precautions should be taken.

Believe it or not roughly 90% of UV light can cut through clouds, it can even bounce off puddles and snow so don’t assume it is safe to head out without sunscreen just because it’s a grey day.

You may also assume that it is safe if it is cold. UV rays have nothing to do with the heat emitted by the Sun. It can be in the minus temperatures and still be dangerous due to UV.

When is it safe?

The UV-Index rating makes it easy to see when protection is required. Any day with an index of three or higher you should use sunscreen.

You can check the UV-Index rating near you daily within your local forecast information on the Weather & Radar app.

App tip: Clouds on the WeatherRadarread more
Weather & Radar editorial team
This might also interest you
Curvature of the Earth with cloud fields and deep blue sky from a great height.
Tuesday 16 September 2025

Protective layer recovers

Ozone hole significantly smaller in 2024
Flooded road with cars in the water. Next to it, a weather map with a warning symbol. Heavy rain causes regional flooding.
Tuesday 9 September 2025

Towns flooded

Heavy rain hits Europe
Map showing the water temperature of the North Sea. A value of 15.7 degrees is displayed in the centre. The coastal regions of England, the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark are visible.
Thursday 11 September 2025

Lots of rain in sight

New heat record in the North Sea
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement