If you use the SunSmart app as religiously as I do, you'll see the UV hits 14 quite often in summer! At the moment, it's saying it will be 14 again on Sunday and Monday.
It's a great app. It tells you the current UV and the exact times you need sun protection and when it's safe to go without. Always love that period in winter when it tells me I don't need anything all day!
Oh that’s awesome. I’m ashamed to say I have so many weather apps I don’t use the iPhone one but now I’ll use this UV feature for sure! Thanks for such a quick response
Just means a shorter time to get sunburn. UV index 6 at sea level would get sunburn after 30 minutes of exposure without sunscreen. UV index 12 would mean sunburn after 15 minutes. UV index 43 on top of the Licancabur volcano (~6000m altitude) would mean sunburn after about 2 minutes 40 seconds (1 minute 33 seconds if standing on snow).
I discovered this recently and it's changed my view on the index quite a bit. One would be forgiven for thinking that a UV index of 13 was absolutely monstrous compared to a UV of, say, 12.
But it's only 8% more UV. Linear scales really lose their punch when the numbers get big.
Oh yeah, it’s packed all right. But they are backpackers mostly, enjoying a break from bleak northern winters. They deserve a break, and they also feel they can’t have a holiday in Sydney and go back looking pale. People will ask “So where ya been?”
Made sure to use sunscreen today. It’s beyond necessary on this sort of day.
But yeah, it’ll be high UV tomorrow too, despite the cooler temps. A lot of people (myself included) often forget that sun danger exists on 20 degree days just like it does 40 degrees. Stay safe!
I wear sunblock every day. Mostly because I'm a vain MF, but also because I don't want to die from skin cancer. You'd be insane not to wear it down here.
If only our bodies could scale production of vitamin D infinitely.
Sadly, part of the reasons Australians are often vitamin D deficient is because we don't get enough sun exposure. And that's because you can't just get double the UV in half the time to get enough vitamin D - the body can't produce it that much faster just because it's got more ingredients to work with.
So really hot days make it even harder to get Vitamin D because you don't wanna spend too long in the sun getting burnt? So ideal is just a bit of a warm day with a higher UV index than winter?
Pretty much. Ideal weather for Vit D is basically European summer.
It's not the only issue though. Australians also don't eat enough leafy greens, which provide important nutrients for catalysing the reaction that generates Vit D.
Unlike ionising radiation, water actually makes UV exposure worse because of the reflections of the light. Unless you're diving deep enough for it to be scattered and/or absorbed enough (think when diving deep it goes dark) snorkling can get you more burnt than just sitting on a beach.
Like does this mean 'anywhere' there's sun today? Because a lot of folks are out going to shops to cool down and there's bound to be a 5min walk to the shops where they are being slapped by the sun.
yes they should wear sunscreen or preferably cover up with long sleeves and a hat for that 5 minute walk in the sun. the recommendation is to avoid sun exposure all together over 11 uv index.
I grew up in Tassie and moved here 8 years ago - 14 feels high relative to typical Sydney weather, but that's a nice spring/autumn day from my childhood. If it wasn't over 15 in a Tassie summer, it must have been overcast!
Slip, slop, slap is your best friend - as is listening to your skin. If it's tingling, find some shade, cos you're 5 minutes from a burn (if not there already!).
If you use the SunSmart app as religiously as I do, you'll see the UV hits 14 quite often in summer! At the moment, it's saying it will be 14 again on Sunday and Monday.
I had no idea! Will check out that app too, cheers!
It's a great app. It tells you the current UV and the exact times you need sun protection and when it's safe to go without. Always love that period in winter when it tells me I don't need anything all day!
Yes that’s the reason I love winter more too.
That sounds so great - is the one in the iPhone App Store that says it’s Global UV and Cancer council Victoria?
Yep, that would be the one.
ty!
Oh that's so handy! Thanks for the tip!
Hi OP, what app is yours? It looks great!
Just the regular iPhone weather app, you tap the temp and can change to UV forecast for the day
Oh that’s awesome. I’m ashamed to say I have so many weather apps I don’t use the iPhone one but now I’ll use this UV feature for sure! Thanks for such a quick response
Highest UV index ever recorded was 43+ at the top of a volcano in Bolivia... So...
Wow, does that cause instant death?
tbf you're in a VOLCANO
Just means a shorter time to get sunburn. UV index 6 at sea level would get sunburn after 30 minutes of exposure without sunscreen. UV index 12 would mean sunburn after 15 minutes. UV index 43 on top of the Licancabur volcano (~6000m altitude) would mean sunburn after about 2 minutes 40 seconds (1 minute 33 seconds if standing on snow).
And if you're a pale ginger? Divide all those figures by 10?
If you survive you get whole-body melanoma as a prize
Other fun fact is that it uses a linear scale unlike volcanic activity measurements that is usually logarithmic.
I discovered this recently and it's changed my view on the index quite a bit. One would be forgiven for thinking that a UV index of 13 was absolutely monstrous compared to a UV of, say, 12.
But it's only 8% more UV. Linear scales really lose their punch when the numbers get big.
woah
I’m just avoiding outdoors in general f that
No no! According to the nightly news Sydneysiders will FLOCK to the beach to escape the scorching heat!
In truth, if Sydneysiders do go to the beach on days like this, they’re generally over with it by 9 am.
idk man, sus the beach cams at e.g. coogee. it's pretty packed.
Oh yeah, it’s packed all right. But they are backpackers mostly, enjoying a break from bleak northern winters. They deserve a break, and they also feel they can’t have a holiday in Sydney and go back looking pale. People will ask “So where ya been?”
Genuinely too hot for the beach tho. It would absolutely suck.
Actual measured UV in Sydney is tracking a bit below the estimates. Highest so far today is 12.1
https://www.arpansa.gov.au/our-services/monitoring/ultraviolet-radiation-monitoring/ultraviolet-radiation-index
This needs to be higher up. Go to the soure don't just trust Google.
Everyone who is sensitive to the sun should bookmark this site. Such a great resource.
good day to get all my washing done, bedsheets are gonna dry in an hour!!
Thanks for the reminder to do laundry! Seeing as we have a few wet days coming up
Exactly what I was saying hahah, it’s sheets and winter clothing washing day
It was more like 5 minutes in South Sydney
Made sure to use sunscreen today. It’s beyond necessary on this sort of day.
But yeah, it’ll be high UV tomorrow too, despite the cooler temps. A lot of people (myself included) often forget that sun danger exists on 20 degree days just like it does 40 degrees. Stay safe!
I wear sunblock every day. Mostly because I'm a vain MF, but also because I don't want to die from skin cancer. You'd be insane not to wear it down here.
How long do you think it'd take to get your daily Vitamin D intake? 2 minutes?
If only our bodies could scale production of vitamin D infinitely.
Sadly, part of the reasons Australians are often vitamin D deficient is because we don't get enough sun exposure. And that's because you can't just get double the UV in half the time to get enough vitamin D - the body can't produce it that much faster just because it's got more ingredients to work with.
So really hot days make it even harder to get Vitamin D because you don't wanna spend too long in the sun getting burnt? So ideal is just a bit of a warm day with a higher UV index than winter?
Pretty much. Ideal weather for Vit D is basically European summer.
It's not the only issue though. Australians also don't eat enough leafy greens, which provide important nutrients for catalysing the reaction that generates Vit D.
But the sun is an interesting double edged sword.
That’s how long it usually takes me to disperse my Vitamin D on any given day.
Ayo!
Australia is the reason why the scale even goes that high.
You could get a perfect pork belly crackling if you left it outside.
Are you fat shaming the beach goers? /s
Does staying underwater provide any UV protection?
Unlike ionising radiation, water actually makes UV exposure worse because of the reflections of the light. Unless you're diving deep enough for it to be scattered and/or absorbed enough (think when diving deep it goes dark) snorkling can get you more burnt than just sitting on a beach.
Be sure to watch out for elderly that have collapsed from heatstroke as well, I always find a few lying on the floor every summer.
A few every summer? John Wayne Glover is that you?
No different if it's a heat wave or a normal clear sky summer day.
And yet! Here we are 🤣
Can I ask where would one encounter this?
Like does this mean 'anywhere' there's sun today? Because a lot of folks are out going to shops to cool down and there's bound to be a 5min walk to the shops where they are being slapped by the sun.
*gestures to everywhere
This is for Sydney so pretty much anywhere in direct sunlight
yes they should wear sunscreen or preferably cover up with long sleeves and a hat for that 5 minute walk in the sun. the recommendation is to avoid sun exposure all together over 11 uv index.
It's UV index 15 where I am in the New England region.
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Too hot for the beach. She sure is hot now
I grew up in Tassie and moved here 8 years ago - 14 feels high relative to typical Sydney weather, but that's a nice spring/autumn day from my childhood. If it wasn't over 15 in a Tassie summer, it must have been overcast!
Slip, slop, slap is your best friend - as is listening to your skin. If it's tingling, find some shade, cos you're 5 minutes from a burn (if not there already!).
Tbh, I haven't seen the UV that high since the fires in 2020.
Only in the southern hemisphere I think due thinner ozone layer
We have clear skies, less pollution and due to the Earth's tilt during our summer, we're 5 million kilometres closer to the sun.
No. In addition to the comment below, which is correct, this site has a good summary.
https://cancerwa.asn.au/news/why-does-australia-have-so-much-skin-cancer-hint-i/