United States
UV Index Across New York State
Check the current UV index for 6 cities in New York. Select a city below for real-time UV data, hourly forecasts, and sun protection advice.
UV Index by City in New York
Sun Safety in New York
UV levels in New York 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 New York: What to Know
New York spans moderate UV in the north to higher levels downstate. New York City peaks at high to very high UV in midsummer.
Across New York, 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 Albany, Buffalo and New York on the city pages above before heading outdoors.
Common Questions About UV in New York
When is the UV index highest in New York?
UV in New York 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 Albany above to see today's exact peak.
Do I need sunscreen in New York?
Yes — whenever the UV index reaches 3 or higher, which in New York 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 New York?
Our UV index for New York 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.