Well, the sun's got the same altitude as in late August, albeit ozone is usually higher this time of year so the UV index isn't as high.

At the moment we have a patch of lower ozone levels over us:

https://ozonewatch.gsfc.nasa.gov/Scripts/big_image.php?date=2018-04-16&hem=N

5.4 and 5.5 on the last two days. 

5.5 yesterday, as I started my cycling season with a 25m (40k) over the South Downs- mostly travelling south. The cloud arrived after I got home. Lobster.

 5.9 today in Reading- the highest since 20th August almost hit a 6 last year. 5.7 also on 26th April. The 6s will be here at the weekend, I am sure.

Beeb website has UV forecast as 'High' for much of next week as does MetO but this equates to 5 or 6. MetO shows mostly 5. Interesting to see what happens on the sunniest day.

5.1 today

Meto automated forecast going for UV7 across the south coast from Land's End to Dover over the weekend. Maybe it will change but looks like they're expecting it to be very high considering it only goes up to 8.

UV forecast for Bank Holiday Monday

Wow- for early May, that's pretty amazing. A good searing for July!

There were 9s last year. The way things are going (with 7s 7 weeks out from the solstice) I wouldn't be surprised to see the same again this year!

NB, the Met Office's guidance:

"The UV index does not exceed 8 in the UK (8 is rare; 7 may occur on exceptional days, mostly in the two weeks towards the end of June). Indices of 9 and 10 are common in the Mediterranean area."

is hopelessly out of date.

I recorded a UV index of 6.0 today - highest of the year so far.

6.9 in Reading yesterday, when I wasn't outside and 6.5 today, when I was. So-rounded, two 7s. As Darren (Retron) pointed out, that's 6 weeks from the solstice; and this side of the solstice typically records lower UV than the other side, due to higher ozone levels. Thin ozone again?

Another 6.5 in Reading; plus ca change. Hazy though over the South downs at a distance.

UV 7 forecast for Winchester, 1 o'clock.

Edit: actually 7 forecast as far north as S Wales and 6 as far as Cumbria- in the first week of May! Could there be an 8 somewhere in the SW today?

6.2 in Reading today. E. wind so pollutants from the capital; also RH up a tad.

Another 6.1 here and I've tanned nicely this afternoon!

6.4 in Reading; double peak, as the cooler uppers brought slightly clearer, less humid air.

Met are going for a UV index of 7 in Leeds today.

6.4 yesterday; 5.7 today.

5.7 again today, though quite a bit lower yesterday as the changing airmass brought cloud.

5.5 in Reading today.

UV8 forecast quite widely across S Devon: that's early.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/map/gcjszevgx#?zoom=9&map=MaxUVIndex&lon=-3.87&lat=50.45&fcTime=1526774400