Home
Weather London
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
Career
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    All year UV safety: Don't be fooled by overcast skies

All year UV safety
Don't be fooled by overcast skies

Sun shines through  clouds
Even on cloudy days, UV-light can still break through.

Overcast conditions usually don’t inspire the need to check UV levels, but at any time of the year, precautions should be taken.

Believe it or not roughly 90% of UV light can cut through clouds, it can even bounce off puddles and snow so don’t assume it is safe to head out without sunscreen just because it’s a grey day.

You may also assume that it is safe if it is cold. UV rays have nothing to do with the heat emitted by the Sun. It can be in the minus temperatures and still be dangerous due to UV.

When is it safe?

The UV-Index rating makes it easy to see when protection is required. Any day with an index of three or higher you should use sunscreen.

You can check the UV-Index rating near you daily within your local forecast information on the Weather & Radar app.

App tip: Clouds on the WeatherRadarread more
Weather & Radar editorial team
This might also interest you
Hottest day of the year so far. Close to August record. . . Thursday, 13 August 2026
Temperature map of London showing 38.1°C at Kew Gardens, with surrounding readings of 35–36°C and deep red shading indicating extreme heat.
Thursday, 13 August 2026

Close to August record

Hottest day of the year so far
The Perseids reach their peak. Shooting stars overhead. . . Tuesday, 11 August 2026
Shooting stars in the night sky
Tuesday, 11 August 2026

Shooting stars overhead

The Perseids reach their peak
The solar eclipse arrives tonight. Great visibility for most. . . Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Split image showing an annular solar eclipse on the left and a UK and Ireland weather map on the right with mostly sunny skies, temperatures of 30–31°C in England and 27°C in Dublin.
Wednesday, 12 August 2026

Great visibility for most

The solar eclipse arrives tonight
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList