UV Index in London
Live UV index for London, United Kingdom. Personalised SPF, reapply timing, and protection advice for your skin type. Free, no signup, updated every 30 minutes.
51.51°, -0.13° · UV data refreshes every 30 minutes
UV in London: what to expect
Northern mid-latitude with frequent cloud; clear-sky summer noon UV peaks at 7, winter UV is often 0–1.
Peak season
May – August
Average peak UV
7 (high)
Country
United Kingdom
Region
Europe
Sun safety for London
London reaches high UV during May – August. Daily SPF 50, sunglasses, and shade during midday hours are the standard recommendation. Reapply every two hours when outdoors.
Off-season UV is much lower — winter months in London often sit at UV 1–3, where SPF 30 is enough and shade matters less. Always check the live UV reading above before deciding.
Whatever London's climatology says, the live reading above is what counts on the day you check. UV varies hour by hour; the widget shows current and forecast values so you can plan around peak hours.
Why daily UV awareness matters in London
UV exposure is the leading preventable cause of skin cancer. Each blistering sunburn before age 20 doubles melanoma risk in adulthood. Cumulative UV from daily, unprotected exposure causes basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, premature aging, and pigmentation disorders.
For residents of London, the practical impact of knowing today's UV is choosing the right SPF strength, the right outdoor schedule, and the right protective clothing for the next few hours — not abstract long-term advice. The widget above turns this into a 5-second daily check.
Read the full UV checker guideOther cities in Europe
Related tools and guides
Sources & methodology
Live UV: Open-Meteo Air Quality API (CAMS atmospheric model + satellite + ground station inputs). City climatology values from NASA TEMIS UV climatology and CAMS reanalysis. SPF and reapply guidelines based on AAD, BAD, and WHO recommendations. Full editorial methodology →