UV index 15+ meaning
Extreme
A UV index of 15+ is Extreme. Unprotected skin can burn in under 10 minutes. Cover up, use sunscreen and stay in shade around midday.
What to do at UV 15+
- Plan to be inside or in deep shade around middayAt 11 and above, unprotected skin can burn in minutes.
- Slip on clothing that covers your shouldersCover as much skin as you can with tightly woven fabric.
- Slop on SPF 50 or 50+ sunscreenBroad-spectrum and water-resistant, 20 minutes before you go out. Reapply every two hours.
- Slap on a broad-brimmed hatWide enough to shade your face, ears and neck. Caps leave too much exposed.
- Slide on wraparound sunglassesLook for category 2 or higher under the Australian Standard.
How quickly skin burns at UV 15+
Burn time depends on skin type, reflection from sand or water, and altitude. As a rough guide from official sun-safety advice, very fair skin can burn in under 10 minutes at this level. Olive and darker skin takes longer to redden, but the UV damage still adds up.
If a burn blisters, or you feel unwell after time in the sun, see your GP.
Places at UV 15+ right now
Updated 12:31am AEDT
None of the places we track are at UV 15+ right now. See today’s UV across Australia.
Nearby levels
FAQs about UV 15+
- Is UV 15+ high?
- UV 15+ is in the Extreme category on the World Health Organization’s scale, which runs from Low (0 to 2) to Extreme (11 and above). Sun protection is recommended from 3 up.
- Do I need sunscreen at UV 15+?
- Yes. Sun protection is recommended whenever the UV index is 3 or higher. Pair SPF 50 or 50+ sunscreen with a hat, clothing, shade and sunglasses.
- How long can you be in the sun at UV 15+?
- There’s no safe amount of unprotected time once UV reaches 3, because damage adds up before skin goes red. As a rough guide from official sun-safety advice, very fair skin can burn in under 10 minutes at this level.
- When does the UV index reach 15+ in Australia?
- Summer middays in every mainland capital, and for much of the year across northern Australia.