SunticUV index in Austin today
Austin's long, hot summers come with high midday UV and plenty of sunny days for getting outside. The only accurate figure is a live one for your exact spot: Suntic shows Austin's real-time UV index and a 10-day forecast.
Sun and UV in Austin
Central Texas sees abundant sunshine and midday UV that climbs to very high levels through a long summer. The combination of heat and humidity can be intense, but UV is strong well beyond the hottest hours. Spring and autumn still bring moderate-to-high UV on clear days, so protection matters outside summer too.
When is UV highest in Austin?
UV is highest around solar noon (broadly 10am to 4pm) and strongest across May to September. The exact peak shifts with the season and the day's weather. For more on this, see when is the sun strongest.
The UV index scale
| UV index | Risk level | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | Low | Minimal risk. Safe to be outside; sunglasses on bright days. |
| 3-5 | Moderate | Take care at midday. Use SPF 30+, a hat and shade around noon. |
| 6-7 | High | Protection needed. SPF 30+, cover up, seek shade 10am-4pm. |
| 8-10 | Very high | Extra protection. Avoid the sun at midday; SPF, clothing and shade are essential. |
| 11+ | Extreme | Take all precautions. Unprotected skin can burn quickly; stay inside or fully covered at peak hours. |
UV index categories follow the World Health Organization / US EPA scale.
Staying sun-safe in Austin
- Greenbelt hikes and lake days put you in direct sun for hours, so plan around the midday peak.
- Strong UV arrives before the hottest part of the afternoon.
- Reflective water at Lady Bird Lake and Barton Springs adds to exposure.
Wherever you are, the basics hold: use broad-spectrum SPF 30+, seek shade around midday, cover up, and never let your skin burn. See our sunburn prevention tips.
See Austin's live UV index
Suntic turns the live UV index into personal safe-sun times, sunscreen reminders and vitamin D tracking on your iPhone.
