United States
UV Index in California — Current UV Levels
Check the current UV index for 20 cities in California. Select a city below for real-time UV data, hourly forecasts, and sun protection advice.
UV Index by City in California
Sun Safety in California
UV levels in California 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 California: What to Know
California spans a huge UV range — from the foggy northern coast to the high-UV deserts of the south. Inland and southern cities like Los Angeles and Palm Springs see very high to extreme UV in summer.
Across California, 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 Anaheim, Bakersfield and Fresno on the city pages above before heading outdoors.
Common Questions About UV in California
When is the UV index highest in California?
UV in California 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 Anaheim above to see today's exact peak.
Do I need sunscreen in California?
Yes — whenever the UV index reaches 3 or higher, which in California 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 California?
Our UV index for California 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.