Automated newsroom of weather-au.com · Published · Updated · 2 min read
Observed or ongoing event. The UV index will reach 9.7 in Atherton (Queensland) on 3 November 2026, a "very high" level (8 and above). At this level fair skin burns in under 15 minutes without protection.
The figures
228 cities tracked by weather-au.com in Australia exceed the 8 threshold for this phenomenon. The most affected is Atherton (Queensland) with 9.7 on 3 November 2026. Other cities affected: Dimbulah, Malanda and Ravenshoe. The event is expected from 2 November 2026 to 3 November 2026. These are model forecasts for the city's grid point, not measurements.
Cities affected
| City | Elevation | Day | Max UV index | Max temperature (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atherton | 765 m | 3 November 2026 | 9.7 | 30 |
| Dimbulah | 460 m | 3 November 2026 | 9.7 | 34 |
| Malanda | 740 m | 3 November 2026 | 9.7 | 29 |
| Ravenshoe | 909 m | 3 November 2026 | 9.7 | 30 |
| Tolga | 680 m | 3 November 2026 | 9.7 | 32 |
| Yungaburra | 703 m | 3 November 2026 | 9.7 | 30 |
| Mareeba | 408 m | 3 November 2026 | 9.7 | 32 |
| Charters Towers | 319 m | 2 November 2026 | 9.6 | 34 |
| Collinsville | 194 m | 2 November 2026 | 9.6 | 32 |
| Healy | 362 m | 3 November 2026 | 9.6 | 40 |
| Hughenden | 330 m | 2 November 2026 | 9.6 | 37 |
| Julatten | 405 m | 3 November 2026 | 9.6 | 28 |
Timeline
For Atherton, the table gives the day-by-day forecast over 5 days. The most marked day is 3 November 2026, with 9.7. The quantity shown is the forecast maximum UV index, day by day. The model resolves hours only over 72 hours: for an event that spans several days or is expected later, the daily forecast is the most reliable.
| Day | Max UV index |
|---|---|
| 01/11 | 9.7 |
| 02/11 | 9.7 |
| 03/11 | 9.7 |
| 04/11 | 9.8 |
| 05/11 | 9.8 |
The map
The map locates the most affected cities in Australia (at most 12). Where several dots touch, the event is widespread; an isolated dot means a local event, caused by terrain or by a nearby lake or sea.
Historical context
No long climate series is attached to this phenomenon for Atherton: no nearby official station provides a comparable daily record in this site's data. The comparison is therefore limited to the city's 1991–2020 normal where one exists. A historical rank is shown only when a nearby reference station can place the value, rather than an invented ranking.
What it means
The UV index measures the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation that burns skin; it is computed from the height of the sun and the ozone layer, and falls with cloud. From 8 upwards the World Health Organization recommends limiting exposure between 11 am and 3 pm. The maximum forecast for Atherton is 9.7.
What to do
- Apply sunscreen of SPF 30 or more every two hours, more often after swimming, and protect children with covering clothes, a hat and sunglasses.
- Avoid direct sun between 11 am and 3 pm, when the index is at its maximum, and look for shade rather than relying on cream alone.
- Clouds do not protect completely: much of the radiation passes through a thin cover, and reflection off water, sand or snow raises the dose.
Related pages
This page is a snapshot of the forecast of 2 November 2026. It is not changed afterwards, even if the model moves on: up-to-date forecasts are on the city pages linked on this page.
Method and limits
The figures in this article are computed automatically from the Open-Meteo forecasts for the cities tracked by weather-au.com. An article is written only if a precise threshold is crossed (a maximum UV index of 8 or more in a city below 1500 m), at most 2 times a week per country, and never twice for the same event. Forecasts are recomputed three times a day, so an event can be spotted up to eight hours late. A forecast is not a measurement and does not replace official warnings: check the official warnings (Bureau of Meteorology) before any decision.