UV index for Dakar peaks at UV 10 at 13:00 local time. Data as of (Africa/Dakar). Values update hourly — see this page for the current reading and hourly forecast.

uvi·today

UV Index in Dakar

Live UV index for Dakar, Senegal — current level, hourly UV forecast, peak times, WHO sun protection advice and a 4-day outlook. Now: UV 1 (Low). Peak today: UV 10 at 13:00.

Now · 08:00 · Dakar
1
Low
0–2Low3–5Moderate6–7High8–10Very High11+Extreme

Sun protection needed today: 10:00–17:00

Protection guidelines:

Now · 08:00 — UV 1 · Low · Clear sky: 1

  • No protection needed
  • You can safely enjoy being outside
Values are forecasts from the European CAMS model (Copernicus), not measurements from a sensor in Dakar. WHO · Methodology
Today's UV overview · Fri, Oct 16
1
8Mainly clear28°87%2
2
9Mainly clear29°79%3
5
10Mainly clear30°73%3
8
11Partly cloudy31°72%3
10
12Mainly clear32°67%4
10
13Mainly clear32°67%4
9
14Mainly clear32°64%4
6
15Mainly clear31°72%4
4
16Partly cloudy31°74%4
1
17Mainly clear30°73%4
% HumidityWind m/s
Max today
10at 13:00
Max tomorrow
10at 13:00
Daylight today
11h 48m07:01–18:49
Solar noon
12:55

Sun & moon in Dakar

Sun height27°
Sun directionE 108°
Sky stateDaylight
-90°-60°-30°0°30°60°90°00:0006:0012:0018:0024:00Now 27°

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 99° / W 261°
Civil twilight06:39–07:01 / 18:49–19:10
Nautical twilight06:14–06:39 / 19:10–19:35
Astronomical twilight05:49–06:14 / 19:35–20:00
Moon phaseWaxing crescent · 29%
Moonrise / moonset11:59 / 23:19
Next moon quarterFirst quarter · Oct 18, 16:13

Detailed hourly UV index — Today, Oct 16

Peak UV 10.3 at 13:00 · Dakar · Local time (GMT)

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.

048Max: 10Now: 16:0027°9:0029°12:0032°15:0031°18:0030°21:0028°
ForecastClear sky

Detailed hourly UV index — Tomorrow, Oct 17

Peak UV 10.3 at 13:00 · Dakar · Local time (GMT)

048Max: 106:0028°9:0029°12:0031°15:0031°18:0029°21:0028°
ForecastClear sky
Hour-by-hour UV index for today & tomorrow

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

Today — Oct 16

HourUVClear skyWeather
05:000.0 – Low0.0Mainly clear27°
06:000.0 – Low0.0Mainly clear27°
07:000.0 – Low0.0Mainly clear27°
08:000.5 – Low0.5Mainly clear28°
09:002.0 – Low2.0Mainly clear29°
10:004.6 – Moderate4.7Mainly clear30°
11:007.6 – Very High7.6Partly cloudy31°
12:009.8 – Very High9.8Mainly clear32°
13:0010.3 – Very High10.3Mainly clear32°
14:009.1 – Very High9.1Mainly clear32°
15:006.5 – High6.5Mainly clear31°
16:003.6 – Moderate3.6Partly cloudy31°
17:001.3 – Low1.3Mainly clear30°
18:000.2 – Low0.2Mainly clear30°
19:000.0 – Low0.0Mainly clear29°
20:000.0 – Low0.0Mainly clear29°
21:000.0 – Low0.0Mainly clear28°

Tomorrow — Oct 17

HourUVClear skyWeather
05:000.0 – Low0.0Mainly clear28°
06:000.0 – Low0.0Mainly clear28°
07:000.0 – Low0.0Overcast28°
08:000.5 – Low0.5Mainly clear28°
09:002.0 – Low2.0Overcast29°
10:004.6 – Moderate4.6Overcast30°
11:007.5 – High7.5Partly cloudy31°
12:009.6 – Very High9.7Partly cloudy31°
13:0010.3 – Very High10.3Partly cloudy31°
14:009.0 – Very High9.0Partly cloudy31°
15:006.4 – High6.4Partly cloudy31°
16:003.5 – Moderate3.5Partly cloudy31°
17:001.3 – Low1.3Overcast30°
18:000.2 – Low0.2Overcast29°
19:000.0 – Low0.0Overcast29°
20:000.0 – Low0.0Mainly clear28°
21:000.0 – Low0.0Overcast28°

4-Day UV Forecast for Dakar

The 4-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 16Peak UV 10 at 13:00Sun protection: 10:00–17:0032° / 27°
6Mainly clear27°9Mainly clear29°12Mainly clear32°15Mainly clear31°18Mainly clear30°
Saturday, Oct 17Peak UV 10 at 13:00Sun protection: 10:00–17:0031° / 28°
6Mainly clear28°9Overcast29°12Partly cloudy31°15Partly cloudy31°18Overcast29°
Sunday, Oct 18Peak UV 10 at 13:00Sun protection: 10:00–17:0031° / 28°
6Overcast28°9Overcast29°12Overcast31°15Overcast31°18Overcast29°
Monday, Oct 19Peak UV 10 at 13:00Sun protection: 10:00–17:0032° / 28°
6Overcast28°9Partly cloudy29°12Partly cloudy31°15Light rain showers32°18Partly cloudy30°

Peak midday UV by month in Dakar

It's October: on clear days, the midday sun here usually peaks around UV 9–12. 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 9, 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.

36811148–10Jan9–13Feb11–14Mar12–15Apr12–14May12–13Jun11–13Jul12–13Aug11–13Sep9–12Oct8–10Nov7–9Dec

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 sunApr · up to 15
Weakest sunDec · up to 9
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: Dakar temperature and rainfall by month →

UV in Dakar: today, tomorrow and through the year

Right now Dakar is at UV 1 (low), with the day's high of 10 (very high) due around 13:00, so sun protection pays off from 10:00 to 17:00. Under clear skies, UV climbs close to its full strength.Tomorrow looks much the same, with the peak near UV 10 (very high) around 13:00 and the same protection hours as today.There is no quiet season in Dakar. The gentlest months still reach about UV 9 on their strongest days, the strongest months about UV 15, and October falls between them.

Location, daylight and sky in Dakar

Key facts

CountrySenegal, Dakar
TimezoneAfrica/Dakar (UTC+0)
Coordinates14.69° N, 17.44° W
Elevation5 m
Population≈ 2.65M
Air pressurebarometer.today

Sun & Daylight Hours in Dakar

Sunrise / sunset07:01 / 18:49
Daylight today11h 48m
Daylight tomorrow11h 47m (-1 min)
Solar noon (sun highest)12:55
Golden hour18:20–19:02
Low UV hours (UV < 3)07:00–10:00
17:00–18:00
High UV window (UV ≥ 3)10:00–17:00

Seasonal daylight range at this latitude

Longest day13h 00m (Jun 21)
Shortest day11h 15m (Dec 21)

Similar daylight hours as Manila, Philippines — on the same parallel

UV index map for Dakar and nearby cities

This map shows the current UV forecast for Dakar 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: Pikine · Mbour · Thiès Nones · Rufisque est · Rufisque

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

What is the UV index in Dakar right now?

As of 08:00 local time, the UV index in Dakar is 1 (Low). UV changes hour by hour. See the hourly chart above for how it rises and falls today.

What is the UV index in Dakar today?

On 2026-10-16, the peak UV index forecast for Dakar is 10, expected around 13:00 local time. Check back daily: UV levels change with cloud cover, ozone, and sun angle.

What is the UV index in Dakar tomorrow?

On 2026-10-17, the UV index in Dakar is forecast to peak at 10 around 13:00 local time. Plan outdoor activities and sun protection around that peak.

What are typical maximum UV levels in Dakar by month?

Peak midday UV index in Dakar, month by month
MonthPeak midday UV
January8–10
February9–13
March11–14
April12–15
May12–14
June12–13
July11–13
August12–13
September11–13
October9–12
November8–10
December7–9
The weakest sun is in December, when midday UV stays around 7–9. From there it climbs: January (8–10), February (9–13), and March (11–14). The strongest sun is in April, reaching 12–15 on clear days. It eases back through May (12–14), June (12–13), July (11–13), August (12–13), September (11–13), October (9–12), and November (8–10).Clear-sky range, 17 years of satellite data (2004–2020). On cloudy days values are typically lower.

How strong is UV in Dakar in October?

In a typical October, the midday UV index in Dakar reaches 9–12 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 Dakar?

UV in Dakar is highest in April, when the midday index reaches up to 15 on clear days. The weakest sun is in December, around 7–9 at midday.

When do you need sun protection in Dakar?

All year round: midday UV in Dakar 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 0.5 (Low)
Max today
UV 10.3 · 13:00
Max tomorrow
UV 10.3 · 13:00
Clear sky
UV 10.3
Sunrise / Sunset
07:01 / 18:49
High UV window (UV ≥ 3)
10:00–17:00
4-Day UV Forecast
Fri 10.3 · Sat 10.3 · Sun 9.6 · Mon 9.8
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