United States
UV Index in Alabama — Current UV Levels
Check the current UV index for 3 cities in Alabama. Select a city below for real-time UV data, hourly forecasts, and sun protection advice.
UV Index by City in Alabama
Sun Safety in Alabama
UV levels in Alabama vary by season, altitude, and proximity to water. The WHO recommends sun protection whenever UV reaches 3 or higher. Apply SPF 30+ before outdoor activities and reapply every 2 hours.
UV Index in Alabama: What to Know
Alabama sits in the humid Southeast, where summer UV regularly reaches very high levels from late spring through September.
Across Alabama, the UV index peaks in the four hours around solar noon (roughly noon to 3 PM local time). The World Health Organization recommends sun protection whenever the UV index reaches 3 or higher: apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 at UV 3–5, SPF 50 at UV 6–7, and SPF 50+ with reapplication every two hours at UV 8 and above. Check the live, hour-by-hour UV index for Birmingham, Huntsville and Mobile on the city pages above before heading outdoors.
Common Questions About UV in Alabama
When is the UV index highest in Alabama?
UV in Alabama is strongest between noon and 3 PM local time, and highest in the summer months when the sun sits highest in the sky. Check the hourly chart for Birmingham above to see today's exact peak.
Do I need sunscreen in Alabama?
Yes — whenever the UV index reaches 3 or higher, which in Alabama covers most of the daytime hours from spring through fall. Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of UV can reach the ground.
How accurate is this UV data for Alabama?
Our UV index for Alabama comes from Open-Meteo, which aggregates national weather-service models, and updates every 15 minutes. Levels follow the official WHO global solar UV index scale.