At what time of day is the sun's radiation strongest?
Quick Answer: The sun's radiation is strongest around solar noon, typically between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. This is when the sun is highest in the sky and its rays hit the Earth most directly.
At solar noon, the sun reaches its peak position, meaning sunlight travels the shortest path through the atmosphere. This reduces scattering and absorption, so more ultraviolet (UV) and other radiation reach the surface.
Because of this, UV levels and overall solar radiation are at their highest. It’s why midday is the riskiest time for sunburns and why sun protection is especially important then.