DermUV
UV Index
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma City, OK Live UV Forecast
Live UV for Oklahoma City is shown above and updates each minute. Oklahoma City sits at 35.5 degrees latitude, which produces hot, high-UV summers and a sharp drop in winter. The city is currently in summer, when local UV typically reaches the very high band at noon.
Oklahoma City UV by Month
Average UV in Oklahoma City peaks during May, Jun, Jul, when high sun angles combine with longer days. The deceptive months are usually early spring and early fall, when air temperatures stay mild but UV climbs into the high category by mid-morning. Locals often skip sunscreen on cool, overcast days, which is exactly when UV-A continues to drive long-term skin damage. UV in Oklahoma City is lowest during Jan, Dec.
| Month | Avg UV | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5.3 | Moderate |
| Feb | 6.7 | High |
| Mar | 8.4 | Very High |
| Apr | 10.0 | Very High |
| May | 10.9 | Very High |
| Jun | 11.2 | Extreme |
| Jul | 11.1 | Extreme |
| Aug | 10.5 | Very High |
| Sep | 9.1 | Very High |
| Oct | 7.3 | High |
| Nov | 5.7 | Moderate |
| Dec | 4.9 | Moderate |
Reading the UV Index, From 1 to 11+
The UV index runs from 1 to 11 and above. A reading of 1 to 2 is low and most people need no protection. From 3 to 5 you should cover up or use SPF. Anything above 6 is high or extreme, which means unprotected fair skin can begin reddening in well under 30 minutes. On a typical summer afternoon in Oklahoma City, the reading sits around 11, which puts everyone outside the extreme risk band. Your skin type matters too: your skin type determines how quickly you burn at any given UV. Kids playing outside for an hour at UV 6 with a hat and SPF 30 are well protected, so this is manageable with simple habits.
SPF Guidance for Oklahoma City Residents
At UV 3 to 5, SPF 15 broad-spectrum is the baseline. At UV 6 to 7, move to SPF 30. From 8 upward, SPF 30 plus a hat and sunglasses become the standard combination, with SPF 50 for extended outdoor time. One Oklahoma City-specific point: haze and high humidity in summer feel cooling but filter very little UV, which is why people get burned on overcast days. Reapply every two hours of direct sun and after swimming. One counterintuitive fact: car and home windows block UV-B but most pass UV-A, which still ages skin and contributes to skin cancer risk. Source: American Academy of Dermatology.
ABCDE: How to Check a Mole at Home
The ABCDE rule is the simplest way to check a mole at home. Asymmetry: one half does not match the other. Border: irregular or fuzzy edges. Color: more than one shade. Diameter: larger than 6mm, about the size of a pencil eraser. Evolving: any recent change in size, shape, or feel. Tracking daily UV in Oklahoma City matters because skin damage is cumulative, and one bad burn in childhood roughly doubles lifetime melanoma risk. This information is educational only and not a substitute for medical advice. Consult a board-certified dermatologist for personal skin health guidance.
Oklahoma City UV FAQ
what is the uv index in oklahoma city right now
The live UV index for Oklahoma City, OK on this page updates every minute from atmospheric model data. During summer, typical Oklahoma City UV runs between 4 and 11. The number above this page reflects current cloud cover, time of day, and sun angle. Refresh once or twice if you just stepped outside.
what time of day is uv highest in oklahoma city
UV in Oklahoma City peaks between roughly 11am and 2pm local time, with the absolute maximum near solar noon. In summer, that window shifts slightly because the sun rises and sets at different times. Cloud cover can shave a few points off the peak but rarely flattens it. Plan high-effort outdoor activity for before 10am or after 3pm if you want to keep exposure low.
do i need sunscreen in oklahoma city today
If the live UV index above this page reads 3 or higher, yes. Below 3, daily SPF 15 is still recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology for routine exposure. Oklahoma City sees May, Jun, Jul as its highest UV stretch, when SPF 30 broad-spectrum is the minimum most dermatologists suggest. Cloudy days still let through 80 percent of UV-A, which drives long-term aging.
is uv dangerous in oklahoma city in summer
Yes. Summer UV in Oklahoma City reaches around 11 at its peak, well into the very high or extreme category on the WHO scale. Unprotected fair skin can begin reddening in 15 to 25 minutes at that level. Sunglasses, SPF 30 or higher, and a wide-brim hat are the standard combination.
what time should i avoid sun in oklahoma city
Aim to limit direct sun between 10am and 3pm local time, when more than 60 percent of the day's UV reaches the ground. The exact peak shifts by season, but that window covers most of it. Shade, UPF clothing, and SPF 30 or higher all stack effectively. Early morning and late afternoon have the lowest UV if you need to be outside for long stretches.