Places / Sedona
UV index at Sedona, Arizona
Check another placeLoading today’s UV…
- Low 0 to 2
- Moderate 3 to 5
- High 6 to 7
- Very high 8 to 10
- Extreme 11+
Hour-by-hour numbers
| Time | UV index | Level |
|---|
The next few days
Each day’s UV curve and peak, drawn on the same scale so you can compare. The forecast reaches roughly four days ahead.
What to do today
About Sedona
Sedona sits at about 4,350 feet (1,326 m) in the high desert of northern Arizona, ringed by red sandstone buttes. Popular hikes like Cathedral Rock, Devil’s Bridge and Bell Rock climb out onto open, sun-exposed rock with almost no tree cover.
Elevation and your real UV
The forecast covers the general Sedona area. The WHO says UV rises by about 10% to 12% for every 1,000 metres you climb, and red rock reflects more sunlight than green terrain:
| Place | Elevation | Compared with baseline |
|---|---|---|
| Sedona (town) | 1,326 m (about 4,350 ft) | Baseline |
| Cathedral Rock summit | 1,499 m (4,921 ft) | about 2% more UV |
| Wilson Mountain summit | 2,171 m (7,122 ft) | about 8% to 10% more UV |
Bare red rock also reflects noticeably more UV than grass or soil, adding to what the elevation alone accounts for. See a worked example in UV at altitude, on snow and under clouds.
When UV is strongest here
Sedona sees very high to extreme UV from late spring through summer, when skies are reliably clear and the desert sun sits high. Even in winter, clear days on exposed rock reach the moderate to high range.
On the trail
Most of Sedona’s signature hikes climb quickly onto slickrock with no shade. Trailheads are often lower and cooler than the exposed viewpoints hikers are aiming for, so the sun exposure builds through the hike.
Sun protection tips for Sedona
- Start red-rock hikes at sunrise; there’s no shade to retreat to once you’re on the slickrock.
- A wide-brim hat and UPF shirt cover more skin than sunscreen alone on multi-hour hikes.
- Reapply sunscreen at the summit or turnaround point, not just at the trailhead.
- Carry more water than you think you need; the dry air masks how much you’re sweating.
Similar places
Related guides
- UV at Altitude, Snow and Clouds: Why You Burn Faster
- What to Wear Hiking for Sun Protection: A Practical Guide
Elevations are rounded published figures. UV forecasts are model estimates for the area and can differ from what you experience on the ground. This is general information about sun safety and isn’t medical advice. Last updated September 22, 2026.