United States
UV Index in North Carolina — Current UV Levels
Check the current UV index for 7 cities in North Carolina. Select a city below for real-time UV data, hourly forecasts, and sun protection advice.
UV Index by City in North Carolina
Sun Safety in North Carolina
UV levels in North Carolina 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 North Carolina: What to Know
North Carolina sees high summer UV from the coast to the piedmont, with very high levels common from May through August.
Across North Carolina, 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 Charlotte, Durham and Fayetteville on the city pages above before heading outdoors.
Common Questions About UV in North Carolina
When is the UV index highest in North Carolina?
UV in North Carolina 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 Charlotte above to see today's exact peak.
Do I need sunscreen in North Carolina?
Yes — whenever the UV index reaches 3 or higher, which in North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
Our UV index for North Carolina 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.