If you’re standing on the shores of Golden Gardens or perched on a rooftop in Capitol Hill, you’re probably asking one specific question: what time is sunset in seattle wa today? It’s the million-dollar question in the Pacific Northwest. Honestly, the answer defines your entire social life, your mood, and whether or not you need to carry that extra Patagonia fleece you’ve been lugging around all day.
Seattle is a city of extremes.
In the dead of winter, the sun basically gives up and goes home by 4:15 PM. You leave the office, and it feels like midnight. But come June? The sun hangs out until nearly 10:00 PM, giving you that weird, golden-hour glow that makes everyone forget about the eight months of drizzle they just endured.
The Drastic Swing of Seattle Sunsets
The latitude of Seattle—roughly 47.6 degrees North—is the real culprit here. Because we are so far north, the tilt of the Earth creates a dramatic variance in daylight that you just don't get in places like Los Angeles or Miami.
During the Winter Solstice, usually around December 21st, the sun sets at approximately 4:20 PM. It’s brutal. You get about eight and a half hours of daylight total. If you work a 9-to-5, you might not see the sun at all for weeks at a time, unless you spend your lunch break staring out a window.
But then, the flip side is glorious.
By the Summer Solstice in June, the what time is sunset in seattle wa query returns a much happier result: 9:11 PM. And because of the atmospheric refraction at our latitude, civil twilight lingers for another forty minutes. You can practically read a book outside at 10:00 PM. This "Big Dark" versus "Big Light" cycle is the fundamental rhythm of life in the Sound.
Why the "Golden Hour" Hits Differently Here
Photographers like Chase Jarvis, who got his start in the PNW, often talk about the specific quality of light in this corner of the world. It isn't just about the clock; it’s about the moisture in the air.
Seattle's humidity—usually a fine mist or high-altitude cloud cover—scatters the light. When the sun finally drops toward the Olympic Mountains, the light has to travel through all that thick, salty air. This creates deep purples, fiery oranges, and those weird neon pinks that look like a Photoshop filter.
If you're looking for the best view, you've got options. Kerry Park is the cliché choice for a reason; you get the Space Needle framed perfectly against Mt. Rainier. But if you want to avoid the tourists, head to Discovery Park. The West Point Lighthouse offers a panoramic view of the Sound where the sun disappears directly into the water (or the mountains, depending on the month).
Predicting the Clouds: The Real Seattle Challenge
Let's be real. Knowing what time is sunset in seattle wa is only half the battle. The other half is the "Cloud Cover Lottery."
You can check your iPhone weather app, see that sunset is at 7:30 PM, and walk outside only to see a literal wall of gray. Meteorologists at the University of Washington’s Atmospheric Sciences department have spent decades studying our specific microclimates. Sometimes, the "Puget Sound Convergence Zone" will dump rain on North Seattle while West Seattle enjoys a crystal-clear evening.
There’s a specific phenomenon called "The Mountain is Out."
When the clouds break enough to see Mt. Rainier, it usually means the air is dry enough for a spectacular sunset. If you see the mountain at 4:00 PM, drop what you’re doing. Get to a west-facing window. The light show is coming.
Seasonal Milestones for Sunset Seekers
- The March Jump: When Daylight Saving Time hits, we suddenly jump from a 6:15 PM sunset to 7:15 PM. It’s a city-wide holiday. Everyone hits the breweries.
- The 9:00 PM Threshold: Usually reached in late May. This is when Seattleites start staying out way too late on Tuesday nights.
- The August Fade: Sunset starts creeping back toward 8:00 PM. There’s a frantic energy in the air—people trying to squeeze in one last hike at Rattlesnake Ledge.
- The November Plunge: The clocks go back. The sunset hits 4:45 PM. We all buy Vitamin D supplements and SAD lamps.
Technical Nuance: Civil, Nautical, and Astronomical Twilight
Most people just want to know when the sun disappears. But if you’re a sailor or a stargazer, the "sunset" is just the beginning.
- Civil Twilight: This lasts about 30–40 minutes after the official sunset time. In Seattle, this is when the city lights start to twinkle, but there’s still enough natural light to walk the dog without a flashlight.
- Nautical Twilight: The horizon is still visible, but the brightest stars are out. This is when the ferries crossing to Bainbridge Island look most magical.
- Astronomical Twilight: Total darkness. In the city, you rarely feel this because of light pollution, but if you drive 45 minutes east toward Snoqualmie Pass, you’ll see the Milky Way once this phase hits.
The duration of these phases changes based on the time of year. In the summer, twilight drags on forever. In the winter, it’s like someone flipped a light switch. Darkness is immediate.
Where to Watch Based on the Season
If it’s winter, you want elevation. Go to the Smith Tower or the Columbia Center. You need to get above the low-hanging fog that settles in the valleys.
In the summer, get to the water. Alki Beach in West Seattle is the premier spot. You can watch the sun drop behind the Olympic Mountains while the skyline of downtown Seattle reflects the fire in the sky behind you. It’s honestly one of the best views in North America, and it’s totally free.
The Psychological Impact of the 4:00 PM Sunset
We have to talk about the "Big Dark." It's not just a meme; it’s a biological reality for people living here.
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When you search for what time is sunset in seattle wa in November, and the result is "4:38 PM," it hits your brain's chemistry. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a genuine concern in the PNW. Local health experts often recommend "chasing the light." This means if the sun is out at noon, you go outside. You don't wait for the sunset because, by then, the temperature will have dropped ten degrees and the dampness will have set in.
But there is a weird, cozy communal feeling to it.
Coffee shops get more crowded. Pubs feel warmer. We lean into the "Hygge" lifestyle. We trade the sunset for the glow of a fire or a well-lit bookstore like Elliott Bay Book Company.
Fact-Checking the "Rainy City" Reputation
People think it rains all the time during sunset in Seattle. Statistically, that’s not quite right.
Seattle actually gets less annual rainfall than New York City or Miami. The difference is the frequency and the timing. We get a constant, fine mist for months. This mist actually acts as a giant softbox for the sun. On days when the sun is struggling to break through, you get a "silver sunset"—where the whole sky turns a bright, glowing pewter color. It's subtle, but beautiful in its own depressing way.
Actionable Steps for Catching the Perfect Seattle Sunset
If you want to make the most of the Seattle light, stop relying on the generic weather app on your phone. It’s often wrong about the specifics of the maritime layer.
- Check the Webcams: Before you drive to the waterfront, check the Space Needle's Panocam. It gives you a real-time look at the cloud ceiling. If the top of the Needle is in the clouds, stay home.
- Use the "Golden Hour" Apps: Apps like PhotoPills or Helios will tell you the exact angle of the sun. This matters because the Olympic Mountains are tall. In some parts of the city, the sun "sets" behind the mountains 15 minutes before the official sunset time.
- Target the Solstices: If you’re a fan of alignment, the "Seattlehenge" phenomenon happens twice a year. This is when the sunset aligns perfectly with the east-west streets (like Mercer or Market Street), creating a canyon of light between the buildings.
- Dress for the Drop: The second the sun hits the horizon in Seattle, the temperature plunges. The maritime air loses its heat source, and the "Puget Sound chill" kicks in. Always have a shell or a light down jacket ready, even in July.
The reality of what time is sunset in seattle wa is that it’s a moving target. It’s a reflection of our position on the globe and our unique relationship with the mountains and the sea. Whether it’s the 4:00 PM gloom of December or the 9:00 PM glory of June, the sunset is the heartbeat of the city.
Plan your evening around the light. In Seattle, it’s the only thing we can't control, so we’ve learned to worship it whenever it decides to show up.
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Next Steps for the Sunset Chaser:
Check the current tide tables if you're heading to the beach; a low tide at sunset at Richmond Beach or Carkeek Park reveals tide pools that reflect the sky like broken mirrors. If the "mountain is out" today, clear your calendar for the hour leading up to the official sunset time—that is when the "alpenglow" will turn the glaciers on Mt. Rainier a deep, bruised purple.