UV index for Colombo peaks at UV 10 at 11:00 local time. Data as of (Asia/Colombo). Values update hourly — see this page for the current reading and hourly forecast.

uvi·today

UV Index in Colombo

Live UV index for Colombo, Sri Lanka — current level, hourly UV forecast, peak times, WHO sun protection advice and a 5-day outlook. Now: UV 0 (Low). Peak today: UV 10 at 11:00.

Now · 03:00 · Colombo
0
Low
0–2Low3–5Moderate6–7High8–10Very High11+Extreme

Sun protection needed today: 08:00–14:00

Protection guidelines:

Max today · 11:00 — UV 10 · Very High · Clear sky: 12 at 11:00

  • Avoid being outside during midday hours
  • Make sure you seek shade
  • Shirt, broad-spectrum sunscreen and hat are a must
Values are forecasts from the European CAMS model (Copernicus), not measurements from a sensor in Colombo. WHO · Methodology
Today's UV overview · Wed, Oct 14
1
7Overcast27°91%1
3
8Overcast28°83%2
6
9Light rain showers29°79%2
9
10Overcast31°73%2
10
11Overcast32°67%2
7
12Light rain showers32°66%2
5
13Thunderstorm31°71%3
2
14Thunderstorm30°72%3
1
15Thunderstorm30°76%2
% HumidityWind m/s
Max today
10at 11:00
Max tomorrow
11at 11:00
Daylight today
11h 59m05:57–17:56
Solar noon
11:57

Sun & moon in Colombo

Sun height-37°
Sun directionE 95°
Sky stateNight
-90°-60°-30°0°30°60°90°00:0006:0012:0018:0024:00Now -37°

The curve traces the sun's height above the horizon through the day: 0° is the horizon, 90° is straight overhead. The higher the sun climbs, the shorter the path its rays take through the atmosphere — and the stronger the UV. The part below 0° is night.

Sunrise / sunset directionE 98° / W 262°
Civil twilight05:36–05:57 / 17:55–18:16
Nautical twilight05:11–05:36 / 18:16–18:41
Astronomical twilight04:47–05:11 / 18:41–19:05
Moon phaseWaxing crescent · 11%
Moonrise / moonset08:44 / 20:41
Next moon quarterFirst quarter · Oct 18, 21:43

Detailed hourly UV index — Today, Oct 14

Peak UV 10.3 at 11:00 · Colombo · Local time (GMT+5:30)

The solid line is the hourly UV forecast: the UV index expected each hour, with cloud cover taken into account. The dashed line is the clear-sky UV, the level it would reach under a cloudless sky. The gap between the two lines shows how much the clouds are lowering the UV.

04812Max: 106:0025°9:0029°12:0032°15:0030°18:0028°21:0027°
ForecastClear sky

Detailed hourly UV index — Tomorrow, Oct 15

Peak UV 10.8 at 11:00 · Colombo · Local time (GMT+5:30)

04812Max: 116:0026°9:0030°12:0031°15:0029°18:0028°21:0027°
ForecastClear sky
Hour-by-hour UV index for today & tomorrow

Detailed hour-by-hour UV index forecast for Colombo — today and tomorrow. Includes UV level, clear-sky UV, weather conditions, and temperature for each hour.

Today — Oct 14

HourUVClear skyWeather
05:000.0 – Low0.0Overcast25°
06:000.2 – Low0.2Overcast25°
07:001.0 – Low1.4Overcast27°
08:003.4 – Moderate3.9Overcast28°
09:005.8 – High7.1Light rain showers29°
10:008.7 – Very High10.1Overcast31°
11:0010.3 – Very High11.6Overcast32°
12:007.3 – High11.0Light rain showers32°
13:004.6 – Moderate8.8Thunderstorm31°
14:002.3 – Low5.6Thunderstorm30°
15:000.8 – Low2.7Thunderstorm30°
16:000.3 – Low0.8Thunderstorm29°
17:000.0 – Low0.1Thunderstorm28°
18:000.0 – Low0.0Thunderstorm28°
19:000.0 – Low0.0Thunderstorm27°
20:000.0 – Low0.0Light rain showers27°
21:000.0 – Low0.0Overcast27°

Tomorrow — Oct 15

HourUVClear skyWeather
05:000.0 – Low0.0Overcast25°
06:000.2 – Low0.2Partly cloudy26°
07:001.3 – Low1.5Partly cloudy27°
08:003.5 – Moderate4.1Partly cloudy29°
09:006.3 – High7.7Light rain showers30°
10:009.8 – Very High10.9Light rain showers31°
11:0010.8 – Extreme12.6Overcast31°
12:007.0 – High12.2Overcast31°
13:004.5 – Moderate9.8Light rain30°
14:003.2 – Moderate6.3Light rain30°
15:000.9 – Low3.0Light rain29°
16:000.5 – Low0.8Light rain28°
17:000.1 – Low0.1Overcast28°
18:000.0 – Low0.0Overcast28°
19:000.0 – Low0.0Overcast27°
20:000.0 – Low0.0Overcast27°
21:000.0 – Low0.0Overcast27°

5-Day UV Forecast for Colombo

The 5-day UV index forecast shows each day's peak UV and the time it's reached, plus daily high and low temperatures and an hourly UV curve, so you can plan sun protection for the days ahead.

Today, Oct 14Peak UV 10 at 11:00Sun protection: 08:00–14:0032° / 25°
6Overcast25°9Light rain showers29°12Light rain showers32°15Thunderstorm30°18Thunderstorm28°
Thursday, Oct 15Peak UV 11 at 11:00Sun protection: 08:00–15:0031° / 25°
6Partly cloudy26°9Light rain showers30°12Overcast31°15Light rain29°18Overcast28°
Friday, Oct 16Peak UV 10 at 11:00Sun protection: 09:00–15:0031° / 26°
6Overcast26°9Light rain showers29°12Light rain showers31°15Thunderstorm30°18Light rain showers28°
Saturday, Oct 17Peak UV 8 at 10:00Sun protection: 08:00–14:0032° / 25°
6Overcast26°9Overcast29°12Overcast32°15Light rain showers31°18Light rain showers28°
Sunday, Oct 18Peak UV 9 at 11:0034° / 25°
6Overcast26°9Partly cloudy31°12Overcast34°15Overcast32°18Overcast30°

Peak midday UV by month in Colombo

It's October: on clear days, the midday sun here usually peaks around UV 11–14. That's very intense: around midday you need shade, covering clothes and sunscreen.

The sun is strong here all year round: even in the mildest months, midday UV reaches about 11, so protection is needed in every season. Treat these numbers as the most sun you should expect around noon: clouds typically lower the real value, while reflections from snow, sand or water can add to the UV your skin actually receives. Today's actual UV is in the forecast above.

368111410–13Jan12–15Feb13–15Mar13–15Apr12–14May11–13Jun11–13Jul12–14Aug13–14Sep11–14Oct10–12Nov10–11Dec

Each bar shows the range the midday UV index moves through on clear days in that month, from the gentlest days up to what the strongest days typically reach, based on 17 years of satellite data (2004–2020). The small light line inside a bar is an ordinary day's midday level.

Based on TEMIS data. Copyright © KNMI/ESA — https://www.temis.nl/

In October the strong sun is in the southern hemisphere: UV reaches high levels across most of it, while the northern hemisphere outside the tropics has its mild season.

See the world map for October →

The UV year at a glance

Strongest sunFeb–Apr · up to 15
Weakest sunDec · up to 11
Protection needed (UV 3+)all year
Extra protection (UV 8+)all year

Months when the midday sun gets strong enough to need protection. Based on clear days; clouds typically lower UV.

See also: Colombo temperature and rainfall by month →

UV in Colombo: today, tomorrow and through the year

Right now Colombo is at UV 0 (low), with the day's high of 10 (very high) due around 11:00, so sun protection pays off from 08:00 to 14:00. Patchy cloud is holding the peak down a little, against UV 12 under clear skies.Tomorrow follows the same pattern: a peak of UV 11 (extreme) around 11:00, with protection needed between 08:00 and 15:00.Few months in Colombo are stronger than October. Its strongest days reach about UV 14, while the quietest months of the year still hold around UV 11.

Location, daylight and sky in Colombo

Key facts

CountrySri Lanka, Western Province
TimezoneAsia/Colombo (UTC+5:30)
Coordinates6.94° N, 79.85° E
Elevation2 m
Population≈ 648K
Air pressurebarometer.today

Sun & Daylight Hours in Colombo

Sunrise / sunset05:57 / 17:56
Daylight today11h 59m
Daylight tomorrow11h 58m (-1 min)
Solar noon (sun highest)11:57
Golden hour17:28–18:08
Low UV hours (UV < 3)05:00–08:00
14:00–17:00
High UV window (UV ≥ 3)08:00–14:00

Seasonal daylight range at this latitude

Longest day12h 31m (Jun 21)
Shortest day11h 43m (Dec 21)

Similar daylight hours as Lagos, Nigeria — on the same parallel

UV index map for Colombo and nearby cities

This map shows the current UV forecast for Colombo and the area around it. One forecast value covers a region of roughly 40 km, so it is a good guide for the area as a whole rather than an exact reading for one spot. In places with big height differences, or where the ground is covered by snow, the real UV can differ from what the map shows.

Check UV in: Negombo · Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte · Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia · Pita Kotte · Maharagama

Air quality concerns? Check air quality in Colombo on AirIndex.Today

What is the UV index in Colombo right now?

As of 03:00 local time, the UV index in Colombo is 0 (Low). UV changes hour by hour. See the hourly chart above for how it rises and falls today.

What is the UV index in Colombo today?

On 2026-10-14, the peak UV index forecast for Colombo is 10, expected around 11:00 local time. Check back daily: UV levels change with cloud cover, ozone, and sun angle.

What is the UV index in Colombo tomorrow?

On 2026-10-15, the UV index in Colombo is forecast to peak at 11 around 11:00 local time. Plan outdoor activities and sun protection around that peak.

What are typical maximum UV levels in Colombo by month?

Peak midday UV index in Colombo, month by month
MonthPeak midday UV
January10–13
February12–15
March13–15
April13–15
May12–14
June11–13
July11–13
August12–14
September13–14
October11–14
November10–12
December10–11
There is no real UV season in Colombo: midday levels stay in a similar range all year, from about 11 at the quietest, in December, to about 15 in March. Month by month: January (10–13), February (12–15), March (13–15), April (13–15), May (12–14), June (11–13), July (11–13), August (12–14), September (13–14), October (11–14), November (10–12), and December (10–11).Clear-sky range, 17 years of satellite data (2004–2020). On cloudy days values are typically lower.

How strong is UV in Colombo in October?

In a typical October, the midday UV index in Colombo reaches 11–14 on clear days, based on 17 years of satellite data (2004–2020). Cloudy days typically run lower. Check the live forecast for today's value.

Which months have the highest UV in Colombo?

UV in Colombo is highest in February–April, when the midday index reaches up to 15 on clear days. The weakest sun is in December, around 10–11 at midday.

When do you need sun protection in Colombo?

All year round: midday UV in Colombo reaches 3 or higher (the WHO protection level) in every month. In every month it can reach UV 8 or more. The WHO then advises extra protection: avoid the midday sun and cover up.

Forecast · UV Index

Now
UV 0 (Low)
Max today
UV 10.3 · 11:00
Max tomorrow
UV 10.8 · 11:00
Clear sky
UV 11.6
Sunrise / Sunset
05:57 / 17:56
High UV window (UV ≥ 3)
08:00–14:00
5-Day UV Forecast
Wed 10.3 · Thu 10.8 · Fri 10 · Sat 7.8 · Sun 8.8
About the UV Index

What is the UV index?

The UV index (UVI) is an international standard measure of the strength of ultraviolet radiation from the sun at a particular place and time. It ranges from 0 (nighttime) to 11+ (extreme). Higher values mean greater risk of sunburn, skin damage, and eye injury. The UV index was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to help people protect themselves from harmful UV radiation.

How do I check the UV index today?

This page shows the live UV index for your location using data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS). You get the current UV level, an hourly UV forecast chart for today and tomorrow, and the exact peak UV time — so you always know when sun protection is most important.

When is UV radiation strongest?

UV radiation is typically strongest between 10:00 and 16:00, when the sun is highest in the sky. However, the exact peak time and intensity depend on your latitude, the season, altitude, cloud cover, and ozone levels. Check the UV forecast chart above to see today's exact peak time for your location.

How can I protect myself from UV radiation?

Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen, wear protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, seek shade during peak UV hours, and wear UV-blocking sunglasses. The WHO recommends sun protection when the UV index is 3 or above.

Where does the UV data come from?

The hourly UV index on this site comes from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), operated by ECMWF on behalf of the European Union. CAMS calculates the UV biologically effective dose using total column ozone, aerosol optical depth, and cloud cover. The global forecast has a spatial resolution of approximately 40 km and provides hourly UV index values for up to 5 days ahead.

What does "clear-sky UV index" mean?

The clear-sky UV index shows how strong ultraviolet radiation would be if there were no clouds at all. It is calculated using the same atmospheric data — ozone column thickness, aerosol concentrations, and solar angle — but assumes completely cloudless conditions. Comparing the actual UV index with the clear-sky value shows how much clouds are reducing UV exposure at any given time. On overcast days, actual UV can be significantly lower than the clear-sky value.

How often is the UV forecast updated?

The CAMS global UV forecast is updated twice daily, based on model runs initialized at 00:00 and 12:00 UTC. Weather data such as temperature, cloud cover, and sunrise/sunset times is updated every 1–6 hours depending on the region, using weather models from national meteorological services via Open-Meteo. The first 1–2 days of the forecast are typically the most accurate.

What does the WHO recommend for each UV level?

Low (0–2) — No protection needed. You can safely enjoy being outside
Moderate (3–5) — Seek shade during midday hours. Wear a shirt, apply broad-spectrum sunscreen, and put on a hat. Wear UV-blocking sunglasses
High (6–7) — Seek shade during midday hours. Wear a shirt, apply broad-spectrum sunscreen, and put on a hat. Wear UV-blocking sunglasses
Very High (8–10) — Avoid being outside during midday hours. Make sure you seek shade. Shirt, broad-spectrum sunscreen and hat are a must
Extreme (11+) — Avoid being outside during midday hours. Make sure you seek shade. Shirt, broad-spectrum sunscreen and hat are a must

Source: WHO Global Solar UV Index, 2002