Home / Editor's Pick /

Check our UV Index: Staying sun safe this summer

11:00
11 August 2023

Check our UV Index
Staying sun safe this summer

sun flare

With summer in full swing and warmer weather finally here, make sure your skin is protected from the increasing solar radiation.

Across summer the UV index in the UK often reaches moderate levels daily beneath unbroken sunshine. Even on a cloudy day, UV levels can still be high with UV able to be reflected and scattered in the clouds.

There are three types of UV rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVC is the most dangerous form of UV radiation, but luckily this is absorbed by the atmosphere before it reaches Earth.

UVB penetrates the top layer of the skin and leads to sunburn. UVA is the most potent source which we are exposed to all year long. It can pass through windows and clouds and penetrates deep into our skin, leading to ageing and increasing our risk of skin cancer.

Because of the dangers associated with increased levels of UV, particularly in the spring and summer months when UV radiation is at its strongest, the UV Index was created. The higher the UV Index, the stronger the UV radiation and faster the skin will burn.

In the coming days, UV levels could reach 'High' for your area as temperatures rise into the mid-to-high twenties beneath plenty of sunshine. Across the UK and Ireland, UV levels tend to reach 7 on the hottest days.

At this level, there is a risk of burning within 30-60 minutes. As we spend more time outside, be sure to check the UV Index level near you inside our app!

Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
Wednesday 16 July 2025

Numerous fatalities

Heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan
Split image showing storm clouds over a coastal town on the left, and a circumzenithal arc on the right.
Sunday 13 July 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Summer warmth and sights
dennis oswald selfie supercell stormchaser
Wednesday 16 July 2025

Storm chaser's Blog

USA - Alone with the supercell
All weather news
This might also interest you
Weather map showing thunderstorms over Northern Ireland and rain elsewhere next to a temperature map showing highs in the upper 20s in south-east England.
Thursday 17 July 2025

Breakfast brief

Storm potential in areas, warming too
Weather map on the left showing heavy rain over the UK and Ireland. Wind map on the right shows strong gusting winds over Ireland, Wales, and England, strongest in the south.
Tuesday 15 July 2025

Breakfast brief

Wet, gusty, with thundery potential
Friday 4 July 2025

Breakfast brief

Gusty and wet end to the week
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement