United States
UV Index in Washington — Current UV Levels
Check the current UV index for 4 cities in Washington. Select a city below for real-time UV data, hourly forecasts, and sun protection advice.
UV Index by City in Washington
Sun Safety in Washington
UV levels in Washington 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 Washington: What to Know
Washington has moderate UV, with the drier east seeing stronger summer UV than the cloudier Seattle side of the Cascades.
Across Washington, 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 Seattle, Spokane and Tacoma on the city pages above before heading outdoors.
Common Questions About UV in Washington
When is the UV index highest in Washington?
UV in Washington 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 Seattle above to see today's exact peak.
Do I need sunscreen in Washington?
Yes — whenever the UV index reaches 3 or higher, which in Washington 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 Washington?
Our UV index for Washington 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.