Sun to shine on Wellington Cup Day

After a windy week Wellingtonians will be relieved that sun is forecast for Cup Day tomorrow, though experts are warning that even on overcast days there is still a high risk of radiation.

High winds battered the region overnight with winds gusting up to 140kmh at the Rimutaka summit and more than 100kmh in the city. Castlepoint on the Wairarapa coast copped wind gusts of up to 159kmh.

MetService forecaster Ian Gall said those going to Cup Day tomorrow would be happy to know shunshine is forecast for most of the day.

MetService is predicting a high of 21 degrees and winds of up to 65km per hour.

"Once again we have the wind coming up. The north-westerly would be quite blustery in the afternoon but not to the extent that we saw yesterday. It will be fairly routine Wellington style."

Those enjoying tomorrow's sun are being encourgaed to protect themselves from the sun.

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) says ultraviolet rays will continue to be greater than 10 until the end of next month.

The World Health Organisation recommends people use sun protection when ultraviolet levels are three and above.

"UV levels above three are being measured for many hours each day throughout the country and this will persist beyond the end of February, so sun protection is extremely important.

They may be surprised at just how much of the day the sun protection alert recommends they take sun protection measures - more than eight hours over much of the country at the moment," principal scientist of radiation Richard McKenzie said.

SunSmart Manager Laurianne Reinsborough said it was not the sun's heat that burned, but UV, so people could still get sunburnt even on cool or cloudy days.

"Sunburn is a big concern because it is linked to melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. Unfortunately, our Kiwi lifestyle and fierce sun have given us the highest rate of melanoma in the world."

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