UV Index in San Francisco

Real-time UV forecast & tanning weather

Current Conditions

Loading live weather data...
0
Low
UV Index
🌡️
13°C
Temperature
☀️
Clear sky
Conditions
☀️
Peak Tanning Window 2PM • UV 8

Hourly UV Forecast

☀️ Excellent tanning conditions • 10AM–6PM • 22°C • 2 km/h 🌬️
0
6AM
0
7AM
1
8AM
3
9AM
5
10AM
6
11AM
7
12PM
8
1PM
8
2PM
8
3PM
7
4PM
5
5PM
3
6PM
2
7PM
1
8PM
0
9PM
Low 0–2 Moderate 3–5 High 6–7 Very High 8–10 Extreme 11+

16-Day UV Forecast

8
Sun 31
Excellent
8
Mon 1
Excellent
8
Tue 2
Fair
8
Wed 3
Good
8
Thu 4
Good
8
Fri 5
Good
8
Sat 6
Poor
8
Sun 7
Good
8
Mon 8
Excellent
8
Tue 9
Good
8
Wed 10
Fair
8
Thu 11
Good
8
Fri 12
Excellent
8
Sat 13
Excellent
8
Sun 14
Excellent
8
Mon 15
Excellent

Location & Climate

San Francisco's coastal climate features moderate temperatures and high UV levels during the summer and fall, though morning fog is common and can reduce direct sun exposure. When the fog clears, head to Ocean Beach or Crissy Field for tanning, focusing on the sunnier afternoon hours after any marine layer has burned off.

Tanning Tips

San Francisco has a distinct tanning season from April to September. Winter UV is too low for effective tanning.

Weather data by Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)

Monthly UV Index in San Francisco

Average daily maximum UV index by month

Jan
2
Feb
4
Mar
6
Apr
8
May
9
Jun
10
Jul
10
Aug
9
Sep
7
Oct
5
Nov
3
Dec
2
Low Moderate High Very High Extreme

Best Months to Tan in San Francisco

Based on average UV levels, the best months for tanning in San Francisco are:

April Great May Excellent June Excellent July Excellent August Excellent September Great

Rating based on average monthly UV index

Related Guides

Tanning in UV 9-10+ → Aggressive Tanning — What to Know → Safe Tanning Tips → Foods That Help You Tan → Best Time of Day to Tan →

Tanning Tools & Calculators

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Tanning Time Calculator

Calculate your ideal tanning time based on skin type and UV index

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Sunburn Calculator

Find out how long until you burn based on your skin type and current UV

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Skin Type Quiz

Discover your Fitzpatrick skin type and get personalized tanning advice

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Tanning Routine Creator

Build a personalized tanning plan based on your skin, UV, and experience

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UV index in San Francisco right now?
The current UV index in San Francisco is shown in the live weather section above. UV levels change throughout the day, typically peaking between 11 AM and 2 PM local time.
What is the best month to tan in San Francisco?
The best months for tanning in San Francisco are April, May, June, July, August, September, when average UV levels reach 7 or higher.
How long should I tan in San Francisco?
Tanning time depends on your skin type and the current UV index. For a moderate UV of 9, a person with Skin Type III (medium complexion) can safely tan for about 17 minutes per session. Use our Tanning Calculator for personalized recommendations.
Is it safe to tan in UV index 10?
UV index 10 is classified as Very High. Very High — avoid prolonged sun exposure. Short tanning sessions with SPF 50+ recommended.
When is the peak UV time in San Francisco?
UV levels in San Francisco typically peak between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM local time. The exact peak depends on the season, cloud cover, and altitude.

UV Index in Nearby Cities

9
Sausalito
Avg. Peak UV
› 9
Oakland
Avg. Peak UV
› 9
Stinson Beach
Avg. Peak UV
› 9
Bolinas
Avg. Peak UV
› 9
Half Moon Bay
Avg. Peak UV
› 9
Concord
Avg. Peak UV
›

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