How long is the daylight duration in Seattle across different seasons?

At latitude 47.61°, Seattle experiences dramatic seasonal daylight swings. In mid-summer around the June solstice (Northern) or December solstice (Southern), daylight extends up to 16–17 hours with prolonged twilight, while mid-winter daylight contracts to approximately 7.5–8.5 hours.

When are the Golden Hour and Blue Hour in Seattle?

The morning Golden Hour begins at sunrise and lasts for approximately 45–60 minutes, while the evening Golden Hour starts about an hour before sunset. The Blue Hour occurs immediately following sunset (and before dawn) during civil twilight when the sun is between 0° and 6° below the horizon, creating vivid deep blue and indigo skylines across Seattle.

When does Solar Noon occur in Seattle?

Solar Noon in Seattle is the exact astronomical instant when the sun crosses the local meridian (-122.33° longitude) and reaches its maximum daily elevation. Depending on the time of year (the Equation of Time) and whether daylight saving time is active, Solar Noon generally falls between 11:45 AM and 1:30 PM in the America/Los_Angeles zone.

How long does civil twilight last in Seattle?

In Seattle, civil twilight typically lasts between 25 and 45 minutes after sunset. Because the angle at which the sun sinks below the horizon depends on latitude (47.61°), twilight duration increases in the summer months and is longer than in equatorial regions.

How long is the daylight duration in Seattle across different seasons?

At latitude 47.61°, Seattle experiences dramatic seasonal daylight swings. In mid-summer around the June solstice (Northern) or December solstice (Southern), daylight extends up to 16–17 hours with prolonged twilight, while mid-winter daylight contracts to approximately 7.5–8.5 hours.

When are the Golden Hour and Blue Hour in Seattle?

The morning Golden Hour begins at sunrise and lasts for approximately 45–60 minutes, while the evening Golden Hour starts about an hour before sunset. The Blue Hour occurs immediately following sunset (and before dawn) during civil twilight when the sun is between 0° and 6° below the horizon, creating vivid deep blue and indigo skylines across Seattle.

When does Solar Noon occur in Seattle?

Solar Noon in Seattle is the exact astronomical instant when the sun crosses the local meridian (-122.33° longitude) and reaches its maximum daily elevation. Depending on the time of year (the Equation of Time) and whether daylight saving time is active, Solar Noon generally falls between 11:45 AM and 1:30 PM in the America/Los_Angeles zone.

How long does civil twilight last in Seattle?

In Seattle, civil twilight typically lasts between 25 and 45 minutes after sunset. Because the angle at which the sun sinks below the horizon depends on latitude (47.61°), twilight duration increases in the summer months and is longer than in equatorial regions.

Seattle, United States Solar Ephemeris

Sunrise & Sunset in Seattle

Accurate daily dawn, dusk, civil twilight, solar noon, and day length schedule for Seattle. Coordinates: 47.6062° N, 122.3321° W (America/Los_Angeles).

Current Time in Seattle Moon Phases in Seattle

Solar Ephemeris Calculation

Seattle, United States

Lat 47.61°, Lng -122.33° • America/Los_Angeles

Sunrise06:44Upper limb crosses horizon

Sunset19:25Sun vanishes below horizon

Solar Noon13:05Sun at highest altitude

Total Daylight12h 41mBetween rise and set

Atmospheric Twilight Schedule in Seattle

Sun angles relative to horizon: Civil (0° to 6°), Nautical (6° to 12°), Astronomical (12° to 18°).

Civil Twilight

Dawn: 06:13Dusk: 19:56

Sufficient natural light for outdoor activities without artificial lighting.

Nautical Twilight

Dawn: 05:36Dusk: 20:33

Horizon visible at sea; bright navigational stars can be sighted.

Astronomical Twilight

Dawn: 04:58Dusk: 21:12

Threshold between twilight and complete optical night sky darkness.

Photographer Golden Hour WindowsMorning: 07:13 • Evening: 18:57

Optimal Soft Light

Geographical Solar Characteristics

Solar Profile & Seasonal Cycles in Seattle

Positioned at 47.6062° latitude and -122.3321° longitude, Seattle operates under the America/Los_Angeles time standard. The local solar trajectory is determined by Earth's axial tilt relative to Seattle's geographic latitude:

Hemisphere & ZoneNorthern Hemisphere • Sub-Polar / High Temperate

Longest daylight occurs around June 21; shortest daylight occurs around December 21.

Atmospheric Refraction Lift+34 Arcminutes (~0.566°)

Atmospheric bending causes the sun to become visible approximately 2.5 to 3.5 minutes prior to true geometric sunrise in Seattle.

Solar Noon VarianceEquation of Time Drift

Depending on the time of year, true astronomical midday in Seattle deviates from clock midday by up to ±16 minutes due to orbital eccentricity.

Cinematography & Photography Protocol

Golden Hour & Blue Hour Photography Windows in Seattle

For landscape photographers, videographers, and creators in Seattle, the hour surrounding sunrise and sunset provides the most flattering, diffuse natural lighting:

Golden Hour (Warm Spectrum)Sun +6° to 0°

Light rays travel through extensive atmospheric air masses, scattering high-frequency blue photons and bathing Seattle's skyline and landscapes in warm amber, gold, and terracotta hues with long, soft shadows.

Blue Hour (Indigo & Cobalt)Sun 0° to -6°

Occurring during civil twilight, Chappuis ozone absorption filters longer red wavelengths, producing balanced cobalt twilight skies that contrast against the warm artificial architectural lighting of Seattle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common queries, time calculations, and scientific explanations

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Today's exact sunrise and sunset times in Seattle (United States) are computed using high-precision NOAA solar ephemeris algorithms for coordinates 47.6062° latitude and -122.3321° longitude. The calculations account for atmospheric refraction (34 arcminutes) and local elevation.