UV index for Nelson peaks at UV 5 at 13:00 local time. Data as of (Pacific/Auckland). Values update hourly — see this page for the current reading and hourly forecast.

uvi·today

UV Index in Nelson

Live UV index for Nelson, New Zealand — current level, hourly UV forecast, peak times, WHO sun protection advice and a 5-day outlook. Now: UV 0 (Low). Peak today: UV 5 at 13:00.

Now · 21:00 · Nelson
0
Low
0–2Low3–5Moderate6–7High8–10Very High11+Extreme

Sun protection needed today: 11:00–17:00

Protection guidelines:

Max tomorrow · 13:00 — UV 7 · High · Clear sky: 7 at 13:00

  • Seek shade during midday hours
  • Wear a shirt, apply broad-spectrum sunscreen, and put on a hat
  • Wear UV-blocking sunglasses
Values are forecasts from the European CAMS model (Copernicus), not measurements from a sensor in Nelson. WHO · Methodology
Today's UV overview · Fri, Oct 16
1
9Partly cloudy11°55%2
2
10Partly cloudy12°54%2
4
11Overcast13°47%4
5
12Mainly clear13°41%4
5
13Overcast14°39%3
5
14Partly cloudy14°37%3
4
15Overcast15°35%3
3
16Partly cloudy15°36%4
2
17Partly cloudy14°39%5
1
18Overcast13°43%4
% HumidityWind m/s
Max today
5at 13:00
Max tomorrow
7at 13:00
Daylight today
13h 12m06:36–19:48
Solar noon
13:12

Sun & moon in Nelson

Sun height-18°
Sun directionSW 239°
Sky stateAstronomical twilight
-90°-60°-30°0°30°60°90°00:0006:0012:0018:0024:00Now -18°

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 102° / W 257°
Civil twilight06:08–06:37 / 19:48–20:17
Nautical twilight05:34–06:08 / 20:17–20:51
Astronomical twilight04:59–05:34 / 20:51–21:27
Moon phaseWaxing crescent · 29%
Moonrise / moonset09:22 / 00:43
Next moon quarterFirst quarter · Oct 19, 05:13

Detailed hourly UV index — Today, Oct 16

Peak UV 5.2 at 13:00 · Nelson · Local time (GMT+13)

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.

0246Max: 5Now: 06:0010°9:0011°12:0013°15:0015°18:0013°21:0011°
ForecastClear sky

Detailed hourly UV index — Tomorrow, Oct 17

Peak UV 6.8 at 13:00 · Nelson · Local time (GMT+13)

0246Max: 76:007°9:0010°12:0013°15:0013°18:0013°21:0011°
ForecastClear sky
Hour-by-hour UV index for today & tomorrow

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

Today — Oct 16

HourUVClear skyWeather
05:000.0 – Low0.0Overcast10°
06:000.0 – Low0.0Overcast10°
07:000.1 – Low0.1Partly cloudy10°
08:000.4 – Low0.5Overcast10°
09:001.2 – Low1.4Partly cloudy11°
10:002.3 – Low2.9Partly cloudy12°
11:003.5 – Moderate4.5Overcast13°
12:005.1 – Moderate5.9Mainly clear13°
13:005.2 – Moderate6.6Overcast14°
14:005.1 – Moderate6.3Partly cloudy14°
15:004.0 – Moderate5.1Overcast15°
16:002.9 – Moderate3.4Partly cloudy15°
17:001.6 – Low1.8Partly cloudy14°
18:000.6 – Low0.7Overcast13°
19:000.1 – Low0.1Mainly clear12°
20:000.0 – Low0.0Mainly clear11°
21:000.0 – Low0.0Mainly clear11°

Tomorrow — Oct 17

HourUVClear skyWeather
05:000.0 – Low0.0Mainly clear7°
06:000.0 – Low0.0Clear sky7°
07:000.1 – Low0.1Clear sky7°
08:000.5 – Low0.5Clear sky8°
09:001.5 – Low1.5Clear sky10°
10:003.1 – Moderate3.1Clear sky11°
11:004.8 – Moderate4.9Clear sky12°
12:006.2 – High6.3Clear sky13°
13:006.8 – High6.9Clear sky13°
14:006.0 – High6.5Clear sky14°
15:005.2 – Moderate5.3Mainly clear13°
16:003.5 – Moderate3.5Partly cloudy13°
17:001.8 – Low1.9Mainly clear13°
18:000.7 – Low0.7Mainly clear13°
19:000.2 – Low0.2Mainly clear12°
20:000.0 – Low0.0Mainly clear12°
21:000.0 – Low0.0Mainly clear11°

5-Day UV Forecast for Nelson

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 16Peak UV 5 at 13:00Sun protection: 11:00–17:0015° / 9°
6Overcast10°9Partly cloudy11°12Mainly clear13°15Overcast15°18Overcast13°
Saturday, Oct 17Peak UV 7 at 13:00Sun protection: 10:00–17:0014° / 7°
6Clear sky7°9Clear sky10°12Clear sky13°15Mainly clear13°18Mainly clear13°
Sunday, Oct 18Peak UV 7 at 13:00Sun protection: 10:00–17:0015° / 11°
6Overcast11°9Overcast12°12Mainly clear14°15Mainly clear15°18Mainly clear14°
Monday, Oct 19Peak UV 8 at 13:00Sun protection: 10:00–17:0017° / 11°
6Clear sky11°9Mainly clear13°12Clear sky16°15Clear sky16°18Mainly clear16°
Tuesday, Oct 20Peak UV 7 at 13:00Sun protection: 10:00–17:0016° / 12°
6Partly cloudy12°9Partly cloudy14°12Partly cloudy16°15Mainly clear16°18Clear sky15°

Peak midday UV by month in Nelson

It's October: on clear days, the midday sun here usually peaks around UV 5–8. That's very intense: around midday you need shade, covering clothes and sunscreen.

Over the year, the sun is strongest in December–January (up to UV 13 on clear days) and weakest in June (around 1 at midday). 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.

3681110–13Jan8–12Feb5–9Mar2–6Apr1–3May1Jun1–2Jul2–3Aug3–5Sep5–8Oct7–11Nov9–13Dec

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 sunDec–Jan · up to 13
Weakest sunJun · up to 1
Protection needed (UV 3+)Aug–May
Extra protection (UV 8+)Oct–Mar

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

UV in Nelson: today, tomorrow and through the year

After a daytime high of 5 (moderate) near 13:00, UV in Nelson has dropped away for the day. Patchy cloud held the peak down a little, against UV 7 under clear skies. At 14°C it doesn't feel like strong-sun weather, which makes the UV easy to underestimate.UV strengthens tomorrow, topping out at UV 7 (high) near 13:00, with protection needed from 10:00 to 17:00.From October onwards UV in Nelson keeps building, heading towards the yearly high over the months to come.

About Nelson

At the top of New Zealand's South Island, on the shores of Tasman Bay, Nelson is the island's oldest city and renowned as one of the sunniest spots in the country. Despite its southern latitude, clear days from December to February bring a noon index of 12 or 13, the extreme band, and the index holds at 8 or above from October to March. With long bright days and water all around, a clear summer afternoon delivers strong sun, so a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are essential for time outdoors.

Sources:Wikipedia: Nelson, New ZealandRadiation: The ultraviolet (UV) indexTEMIS UV index climatology, 2004–2020 (satellite-derived clear-sky)

Location, daylight and sky in Nelson

Key facts

CountryNew Zealand, Nelson Region
TimezonePacific/Auckland (UTC+13)
Coordinates41.27° S, 173.28° E
Elevation4 m
Population≈ 54.4K
Air pressurebarometer.today

Sun & Daylight Hours in Nelson

Sunrise / sunset06:36 / 19:48
Daylight today13h 12m
Daylight tomorrow13h 14m (+2 min)
Solar noon (sun highest)13:12
Golden hour19:11–20:06
Low UV hours (UV < 3)06:00–11:00
17:00–19:00
High UV window (UV ≥ 3)11:00–17:00

Seasonal daylight range at this latitude

Longest day15h 10m (Dec 21)
Shortest day9h 11m (Jun 21)

UV index map for Nelson and nearby cities

This map shows the current UV forecast for Nelson 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: Auckland · Tauranga · North Shore · Dunedin · Christchurch

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

What is the UV index in Nelson right now?

As of 21:00 local time, the UV index in Nelson 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 Nelson today?

On 2026-10-16, the peak UV index forecast for Nelson is 5, 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 Nelson tomorrow?

On 2026-10-17, the UV index in Nelson is forecast to peak at 7 around 13:00 local time. Plan outdoor activities and sun protection around that peak.

What are typical maximum UV levels in Nelson by month?

Peak midday UV index in Nelson, month by month
MonthPeak midday UV
January10–13
February8–12
March5–9
April2–6
May1–3
June1
July1–2
August2–3
September3–5
October5–8
November7–11
December9–13
The weakest sun is in June, when midday UV stays around 1. From there it climbs: July (1–2), August (2–3), September (3–5), October (5–8), and November (7–11). The strongest sun is in December and January, reaching 9–13 on clear days. It eases back through February (8–12), March (5–9), April (2–6), and May (1–3).Clear-sky range, 17 years of satellite data (2004–2020). On cloudy days values are typically lower.

How strong is UV in Nelson in October?

In a typical October, the midday UV index in Nelson reaches 5–8 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 Nelson?

UV in Nelson is highest in December–January, when the midday index reaches up to 13 on clear days. The weakest sun is in June, around 1 at midday.

When do you need sun protection in Nelson?

In August–May, the midday sun in Nelson regularly reaches UV 3 or higher, the level at which the WHO recommends protection (shade, clothing, sunscreen). In October–March it can reach UV 8 or more, when the WHO advises extra protection: avoid the midday sun and cover up.

Forecast · UV Index

Now
UV 0 (Low)
Max today
UV 5.2 · 13:00
Max tomorrow
UV 6.8 · 13:00
Clear sky
UV 6.6
Sunrise / Sunset
06:36 / 19:48
High UV window (UV ≥ 3)
11:00–17:00
5-Day UV Forecast
Fri 5.2 · Sat 6.8 · Sun 7 · Mon 7.7 · Tue 7.4

UV guides

Read all guides →
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

uvi·today

Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. UV index data and sun protection guidance are approximate and should not replace professional advice. UV index data is not applicable to infants under 12 months. The WHO recommends keeping them out of direct sunlight at all times. WHO. UV forecasts are based on satellite and atmospheric models. Actual UV levels may vary due to local cloud cover, surface reflection, altitude, and other environmental factors. When in doubt, consult a healthcare provider for personalized sun protection advice. UV and weather data is sourced from third-party APIs (Open-Meteo/CAMS). We do not guarantee accuracy or availability. Data may be delayed or temporarily unavailable.

SimpleMeteo familyairindex.todaybarometer.todaypollen.todayweatherjourney.com

UV & weather data: Open-Meteo (CAMS/Copernicus) · Protection guidelines: WHO Global Solar UV Index, 2002 · Location data: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) · IP2Location LITE · Yr / NRK (CC BY 4.0) · Twemoji (CC BY 4.0)

© 2026 UVI.today — a SimpleMeteo project.