South Carolina UV Index by City
South Carolina's coastal cities draw plenty of sun, and beach reflection can increase real UV exposure. Pick your city below for a labelled typical hourly reference and a location-aware current-UV check.
South Carolina's UV is highest at midday and from late spring through early fall, with coastal Charleston and Myrtle Beach seeing very similar readings that often reach the EPA high (6-7) and at times very high (8+) bands. Bright water and sand reflect additional UV, and the WHO advises protecting from UV 3 and up. Each linked city page starts with a labelled typical reference and shows current and forecast UV only after a usable response; these are estimates to manage burn risk, not a promise of a safe tan or medical advice.
UV by city in South Carolina
Plan from South Carolina UV
Source & freshness
Each city page starts with a labelled typical clear-sky reference for South Carolina and replaces it only after a usable current UV response. Failed requests remain visibly labelled as reference data. Estimates only — not medical advice.
Questions
Which South Carolina city has the highest UV?
Charleston and Myrtle Beach sit at nearly the same latitude on the coast, so their typical peak UV references are very close, both commonly reaching the EPA high (6-7) band and occasionally very high (8+) on clear summer middays. The bigger driver day to day is cloud cover and beach reflection rather than which city you choose, so use the current-UV check before acting. These are estimates, not medical advice.
When is UV lowest in South Carolina?
UV is typically lowest early morning and late afternoon, and seasonally in the winter months when the sun is lower in the sky. The EPA still notes UV 3+ can occur on bright days outside summer, and clouds plus reflection off water and sand can change real exposure. Use each city page's labelled reference for orientation and its current forecast after a usable update.
Is it safe to tan in South Carolina at midday?
South Carolina middays (roughly 10am-4pm) often sit in the EPA high (6-7) or very high (8+) bands, so the WHO guidance to protect from UV 3+ applies and burn risk peaks then, especially with beach reflection. No tan is truly safe because tanning is UV damage; if you're outside, the FDA recommends broad-spectrum SPF 30+ reapplied every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating, plus shade and clothing. Our tanning-time figures are risk-managed estimates, not medical advice, and your Fitzpatrick skin type, medications, water and sand reflection all change real risk.