United States
UV Index in Texas — Current UV Levels
Check the current UV index for 12 cities in Texas. Select a city below for real-time UV data, hourly forecasts, and sun protection advice.
UV Index by City in Texas
Sun Safety in Texas
UV levels in Texas 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 Texas: What to Know
Texas has very high to extreme summer UV across most of the state, thanks to its low latitude and long, sunny days. From Houston to El Paso, sun protection is essential spring through fall.
Across Texas, 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 Amarillo, Austin and Brownsville on the city pages above before heading outdoors.
Common Questions About UV in Texas
When is the UV index highest in Texas?
UV in Texas 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 Amarillo above to see today's exact peak.
Do I need sunscreen in Texas?
Yes — whenever the UV index reaches 3 or higher, which in Texas 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 Texas?
Our UV index for Texas 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.