Shade
Limit midday exposure and look for shade when UV is strongest.
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Forecast label explorerHow to read a UV index forecast: scale and time labels
Explore five UV index ranges and the difference between hourly forecasts and daily maximums. Read general sun-protection guidance alongside an existing forecast.
Use this guide beside your weather service’s UV forecast. The selections below explain a range and a time label; they do not fetch today’s weather or calculate how long you can stay in the sun.
Read the number first
Which range matches the forecast?
Choose the range containing its reported UV index. If the service gives decimals, check how it reports categories; this guide does not round them.
Learning example · selected range
UV INDEX RANGE6–7High
READ THE FORECAST’S TIME LABEL
Time label unclear
Educational selection. No live location or weather data.
Put the label in context
Plan shade and cover
This is above the usual protection threshold. Check the hours you will be outdoors and plan shade, protective clothing and sunscreen.
Check the forecast’s label first
Do not guess whether the number is current, hourly or the day’s maximum. Read the service’s time label or help page before using it to plan a particular hour.
Confirm the date, location and time period with the forecast service.
Then read the time period
What does the forecast call this value?
Only choose a label that the service actually uses. A daily maximum is not an all-day constant.
Read the updated range and time-label guide ↑Several measures work together
General sun-protection basics
Clothing + hat
Cover exposed skin and use a wide-brimmed hat.
Sunglasses
Choose sunglasses that protect against UV.
Sunscreen
Use broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher on exposed skin, following its directions.
These are general precautions. Follow any additional sun-protection advice from your clinician, including advice related to medicines or sun-sensitive conditions. A low number is not a personal exposure allowance.
Keep the full scale in view
UV index ranges at a glance
- 0–2Low
- 3–5Moderate
- 6–7High
- 8–10Very high
- 11+Extreme
The usual protection threshold is 3. UV can still be harmful over long exposures at lower levels. The 11+ band has no upper limit.
Hourly, daily maximum, or unclear?
Hourly value
This range applies to the hour identified by your forecast. It does not tell you the value for the rest of the day. Check the hours of your own outdoor plans.
Daily maximum
A daily maximum describes the day’s forecast peak. It is not the UV level for every hour and does not give the exact hours when protection is needed.
Time label unclear
Do not guess whether the number is current, hourly or the day’s maximum. Read the service’s time label or help page before using it to plan a particular hour.
A cool or cloudy day can still have UV exposure. Read the UV forecast rather than using temperature as a substitute.
Girl Playbook · Educational UV forecast guide · Sources: EPA, WHO and Bureau of Meteorology · Research checked October 10, 2026.
Make the most of this tool
Read the UV range together with its time label
Choose the scale range that matches an existing forecast, then select its stated time label. Compare an hourly value with a daily maximum, read the protection notes, or print the selected guide. This page does not provide live weather or a personal exposure allowance.
Does a daily maximum UV index apply all day?
No. It describes the highest forecast UV level for that day. Read an hourly forecast or published sun-protection times to understand particular parts of the day. The guide does not invent those hours.
Does a low UV index mean I can stay outside without limits?
No. The scale describes UV levels, not your personal exposure allowance. Exposure can add up over long periods even at lower levels. Outdoor work, reflection and individual medical advice also matter.
Behind this tool
The scale follows international UV categories. The time-label explanations help you read an existing forecast; this page provides no local forecast or personal exposure estimate. General sunscreen wording follows EPA’s SPF 30 guidance. Research checked October 10, 2026.