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
Split weather map of the UK and Ireland highlighting strong winds on Monday, 15 September. The left side shows gust speeds, with 55 mph around Dublin and Liverpool, and 45 mph near Cardiff and London, linked to a low-pressure system over the North Sea. The right side shows wind warning levels, with yellow (level 1) across much of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and orange (level 2) in western Ireland and parts of western Wales. A wind warning symbol is displayed in the centre.
Sunday 14 September 2025

Gales again

Continued warnings to start the week
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
Split weather map comparing two wind conditions over the Atlantic. The left side shows a powerful cyclone near the US East Coast, with a distinct eye surrounded by intense purple and red bands of strong winds. The right side shows calmer conditions, mostly green shading with lighter winds illustrated by white streamlines and small yellow patches. An arrow in the centre indicates the transition from storm to calmer weather.
Wednesday 10 September 2025

Since Erin

Hurricane season exceptionally calm
All weather news
This might also interest you
Mammatus clouds
Thursday 21 August 2025

Unusual view

Mammatus clouds over Ireland
Friday 15 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Split with cooler north, hot south
Weather map of the UK and Ireland showing scattered showers with cloudy patches across much of the region, especially around western and northern areas. Sunshine symbols appear over London, Cardiff, and parts of southern England, while temperatures range from 17°C to 18°C in most places. Areas of heavier rain are visible over the Atlantic to the west.
Friday 29 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Unsettled conditions into the weekend
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement