You Can Still Get Sunburned on Cloudy Days — Here’s Why

Many people assume cloudy skies mean they are safe from sunburn. Unfortunately, that is not true. Even on overcast days, ultraviolet radiation can still reach your skin and cause damage.

Cloud cover may reduce sunlight you can see, but it does not completely block harmful UV rays. That means cloudy-day sunburns are more common than many people realize.

Clouds Do Not Fully Block UV Rays

UV radiation can still pass through clouds, especially when cloud cover is thin or broken. According to the World Health Organization, up to 90% of UV radiation can penetrate light clouds.

Some cloud patterns can even increase UV exposure. Thin or patchy clouds may scatter and reflect sunlight, briefly raising UV intensity at ground level.