SunticUV index in Cairo today
Cairo sits on the edge of the Sahara, with clear desert skies and very high UV through a long, hot summer. The only accurate figure is a live one for your exact spot: Suntic shows Cairo's real-time UV index and a 10-day forecast.
Sun and UV in Cairo
Egypt's capital has a hot desert climate, with cloudless skies for most of the year and little to soften the sun. Midday UV reaches very high levels from spring through autumn, and even winter brings moderate UV on the typically clear days. The dry desert air makes the heat less obvious than the UV, which stays strong well beyond midday.
When is UV highest in Cairo?
UV is highest around solar noon (broadly 10am to 4pm) and strongest across April 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 Cairo
- Desert sand and pale stone reflect extra UV around the city and out at the pyramids.
- Sightseeing at Giza or along the Nile means long hours in open sun with little shade.
- Lightweight, full-coverage clothing is a practical defence in the desert sun.
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 Cairo's live UV index
Suntic turns the live UV index into personal safe-sun times, sunscreen reminders and vitamin D tracking on your iPhone.
