Shade shows the live UV index for wherever you are, so when you travel somewhere sunny you see the local UV and your estimated burn time for that sun, not the one you’re used to at home. A 10-day outlook helps you plan the trip before you go.
Why holiday UV catches people out
The UV index depends on how high the sun gets in the sky. That changes with latitude and season:
- Closer to the equator: the sun climbs higher, and midday UV of 10 to 12 or more is common.
- Summer vs winter: the same place can have UV 2 in January and UV 9 in July.
- Reversed seasons: December is summer in Australia, South Africa and much of South America.
- Altitude: mountain resorts and high cities get stronger UV than the coast.
Coming from somewhere with a UV peak of 4 or 5, a beach at UV 10 can more than halve your burn time compared to home.
How Shade helps on a trip
- Local UV, automatically: open Shade and it uses your current location through Apple Weather.
- Burn time for that UV: your estimated burn time recalculates with the local UV and your skin type.
- Plan ahead: the UV forecast shows today hour by hour and a 10-day outlook with each day’s peak.
- On the beach: sessions, turn-over cues and reapply reminders work the same anywhere. See beach and pool.
First days count
Early in a holiday your skin is used to home UV, and it’s easy to stay out too long. Checking the estimate for the local UV keeps the first beach day from setting the tone for the rest of the trip.
Privacy while travelling
There’s no account and no sign-up. Your location only leaves your iPhone as a coordinate sent to Apple Weather.
About the numbers
UV data comes from Apple Weather. Estimates follow WHO UV Index guidance and standard Fitzpatrick values.
Frequently asked questions
Why is UV so much stronger on holiday?
UV depends on how high the sun climbs, which changes with latitude and season. Closer to the equator and in summer the sun is higher, so UV can reach 10 or more while it might peak around 5 at home.
Does Shade work abroad?
Shade uses Apple Weather for your current location, so it shows local UV wherever Apple Weather has coverage. It needs an internet connection to fetch new data.
Does the Southern Hemisphere have summer UV in December?
Yes. Seasons are reversed, so a December trip to Australia, South Africa or South America can mean very high UV.