UV problem of another kind "Tasmania is unique with the fact that in summer it gets to extreme level, and in winter it doesn't even get to moderate," Mr Carr said.
Australia has some of the highest levels of UV radiation in the world – in fact, UV radiation is strong enough to cause sunburn in as little as 11 minutes on a fine summer day. UV radiation from the sun is also one of the best natural sources for vitamin D so a balance is important.
The lowest values occur in June-July where the UV Index averages less than 2 over Tasmania, increasing to almost 8-9 in far northern Australia.
The maximum UVI of 25 is for the grid cell at 13.5° S, 172° W, centred on Cuzco in Peru. The city is at 3360 m a.s.l., with surrounding terrain extending to over 6000 m a.s.l. As the capital of the Inca empire, Cuzco seems to be well sited for sun worship.
A rating of 4 or 5 is generally perfect for getting a golden tan without burning to a crisp or putting yourself at risk of skin cancer. So don't be a lobster – aim for that UV index sweet spot and get your tan on safely!
Manchester, New Hampshire comes out on top with the lowest pollution level and UV ray index, rendering it the healthiest city to live in for your skin. Manchester is followed by Burlington, Vermont; New York City, New York; Anchorage, Alaska; and Fargo, North Dakota.
As mentioned, the state with the strongest sunlight is Arizona.
Perth, Western Australia
In fact, it's officially the sunniest capital city in the world, with an average of eight hours of sun per day, year-round.
New Zealand's rather cool and temperate temperatures can easily hide the harmful effects of the sun. Yet in any season and any weather, the New Zealand sun can burn. Many people say they get more sunburned in New Zealand than anywhere else in the world, even Australia!
The stratospheric ozone layer absorbs the biologically damaging wavelengths of ultraviolet (UV) rays but in the 1970s, Australia's ozone layer was severely thinned as a consequence of heavy use of ozone-depleting, substances such as chloroflurocarbons (CFCs) and hydro-chloroflurocarbons (HCFCs).
Australia is near the equator so we experience high UV levels. time of year: our elliptical orbit around the sun and our axial tilt combine to ensure that we are closer to the sun in our summer than the northern hemisphere e.g. in summer the UK has UV Index 6–8, while Australia has UV Index 10–14.
Solariums and tanning
Today it is illegal to operate a commercial solarium anywhere in Australia. There is no such thing as a safe tan – whether from the sun or a solarium.
As the ozone hole over the south pole breaks up in spring, pockets of ozone depleted air drift across Tasmania, southern Victoria and the southern part of New Zealand's south island.
1. Perth, In Western Australia. Our #1 pick for the Australian city with the best weather is none other than Perth. Situated in the state of Western Australia (WA), Perth enjoys a dry-summer temperate Mediterranean climate and is popularly referred to as Australia's sunniest capital city.
The elliptical orbit of the Earth places the Southern Hemisphere closer to the sun during its summer months than the Northern Hemisphere during its summer. This means that the summer sun in Australia is 7 to 10 percent stronger than similar latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere.
Read any Byron Bay bucket list and you'll no doubt find a sunrise walk to the Cape Byron Lighthouse, and for good reason. Located on the most easterly point of mainland Australia, this early morning attraction isn't just the finish line to an epic coastal walk, it's the first place the sun rises in the whole country.
The sunniest state of all: Arizona
Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff are all in the top 25 sunniest cities in the US, and Phoenix ranks #1 with an annual sunshine rate of 85.8%.
Arizona – 5,755 kJ/m²
With an annual sunlight average of 5,755 kJ/m², it tops the sunniest states in the US.
With a highly active climate, Vermont only sees 58 days of full sunshine each year.
6 to 7: High
A UV Index reading of 6 to 7 means high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Protection against skin and eye damage is needed. Reduce time in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If outdoors, seek shade and wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses.
Short-wavelength UVC is the most damaging type of UV radiation. However, it is completely filtered by the atmosphere and does not reach the earth's surface.
Yes, you can get a tan through a window with standard glass because it allows UVA rays to pass through. However, it would take a long time, so don't expect a glowing tan from sitting in a conservatory for a few hours.
Exposure to UV radiation increases the pigment melanin in your skin. UVA radiation triggers the release of melanin within the skin itself, while UVB radiation stimulates your body to produce more melanin, resulting in a sun tan. Both of these types of UV radiation are present in the sun's rays.
But if you're asking “does sunscreen prevent tanning at all?” The answer is no. That's because it doesn't protect you 100%. Sunscreen acts like a shield for your skin, but that doesn't mean it's impenetrable. UV rays can still reach your skin and cause a tan, even when you're wearing plenty of sunscreen.