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
Temperature map of eastern England highlighting Marham, Norfolk at −12.5 °C, with surrounding areas shaded in deep blue and nearby locations labelled with subzero values.
Tuesday 6 January 2026

Below -10 °C in areas

Coldest night of winter so far
Split image showing dark, textured storm clouds hanging low in the sky on the left, and a bright rainbow arching over a parking lot with cars under a colourful sunset sky on the right, divided by a curved white line.
Saturday 27 December 2025

Your weather - Your shots

2025 as captured by you!
Split image showing cars driving through heavy snowfall on a snow-covered road with low visibility on the left, and a UK weather radar on the right with blue and pink snow and rain bands, a low pressure system marked with an L, and snow icons near Ireland, divided by a curved white line.
Thursday 8 January 2026

Full impact overnight

Storm Goretti causing disruption
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList