United States
UV Index in Tennessee — Current UV Levels
Check the current UV index for 4 cities in Tennessee. Select a city below for real-time UV data, hourly forecasts, and sun protection advice.
UV Index by City in Tennessee
Sun Safety in Tennessee
UV levels in Tennessee 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 Tennessee: What to Know
Tennessee sees high summer UV from the lowlands to the Smokies, peaking in the long days of midsummer.
Across Tennessee, 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 Chattanooga, Knoxville and Memphis on the city pages above before heading outdoors.
Common Questions About UV in Tennessee
When is the UV index highest in Tennessee?
UV in Tennessee 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 Chattanooga above to see today's exact peak.
Do I need sunscreen in Tennessee?
Yes — whenever the UV index reaches 3 or higher, which in Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
Our UV index for Tennessee 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.