UV Index
Live UV Index Today
Find out how strong the sun's rays are. Search for your city or use the "near me" button for a live forecast.
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The UV index measures how strong the sun's rays are, which can affect your skin if you're out too long.
Checking the UV index before going outside can help you be prepared, like wearing hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Here's where the sun's rays are strongest in the world today:
Today's highs
Worldwide
What is the UV Index?
The UV index is a scale from 0 to 11+ that measures the strength of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. The higher the number, the greater the risk of sunburn and skin damage.
The index helps you know when to be extra careful, like using sunscreen or wearing a hat. It considers the time of day, clouds, and how high up you are.
We track the UV index for popular cities like Tehran, Toronto, San Diego, and Barcelona.
Is it Safe to Tan with a High UV Index?
Tanning, whether from the sun or a tanning bed, exposes your skin to UV rays. If the UV index is high, it means the sun's rays are very strong, and your skin can burn much faster.
It is best to avoid tanning when the UV index is high (6 or above) to protect your skin from damage.
How Can I Check the UV Index Near Me?
You can use our search bar at the top of the page or our "Find UV Index Near Me" button. Many weather apps on your phone also show the local UV index for the day.
Highest UV Index Recorded
The highest UV index ever recorded was 43.3 on December 29, 2003, on the Licancabur Volcano.
To give you an idea, this UV index is more like what you'd find on Mars than what's normal on Earth. Usually, UV index numbers are around the mid-20s, even in high places like the Andes.
This extreme UV-B radiation happened because of things like ozone loss, storms, fires, and a solar flare.
Recently Added Cities
Explore our newly added monitored cities. If your city isn't listed, use the search button at the top of the page.
Check UV Index on Our Site
Use the search bar above to find the current UV index for your specific location instantly. You can also browse our full list of monitored cities worldwide.