Sunset & Sunrise Today in West Des Moines, Iowa
Sunrise & Sunset Tomorrow in West Des Moines: sunrise 7:28 AM, sunset 6:31 PM.
West Des Moines, Iowa sees the sun come up at 7:27 AM and go down at 6:33 PM on Thursday, October 15, 2026 — 11h 05m of daylight from sunrise to sunset. Solar noon, when the sun is highest over West Des Moines, is at 1:00 PM.
Because West Des Moines is at 41.58° (the mid-latitudes), daylight swings noticeably between the long days of summer and the short days of winter. Each day is currently getting about 2 minutes shorter and 41 seconds. This is autumn in West Des Moines, so the daily sun times are still on the move.
If you're shooting at sunset, aim for West Des Moines's golden hour, about 5:56 PM to 6:51 PM. The blue hour follows, roughly 6:51 PM to 7:01 PM, as twilight deepens.
Tomorrow, sunset in West Des Moines is at 6:31 PM and sunrise at 7:28 AM — about 2m 41s less daylight than today. The table below shows how sunrise and sunset in West Des Moines drift across the whole year.
It's autumn in West Des Moines, when sunset creeps earlier each week. Over the course of the year, sunset in West Des Moines ranges from as early as 4:44 PM (around December 3) to as late as 8:52 PM (around June 20). Its longest day lands on June 20 with 15h 11m of daylight, and its shortest on December 21 with just 9h 09m.
Moon in West Des Moines today
Sunset today: West Des Moines vs nearby cities
| City | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Des Moines | 7:27 AM | 6:33 PM | 11h 05m |
| Urbandale | 7:27 AM | 6:33 PM | 11h 05m |
| Des Moines | 7:26 AM | 6:32 PM | 11h 05m |
| Ankeny | 7:26 AM | 6:32 PM | 11h 05m |
| Ames | 7:27 AM | 6:32 PM | 11h 05m |
West Des Moines sun facts for 2026
- Longest day June 20 — 15h 11m of daylight
- Shortest day December 21 — 9h 09m
- Latest sunset 8:52 PM (June 20)
- Earliest sunset 4:44 PM (December 3)
- Earliest sunrise 5:40 AM (June 9)
- Latest sunrise 7:45 AM (October 31)
Solstices & equinoxes in West Des Moines (2026)
| Event | Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Mar 20, 2026 | 7:18 AM | 7:26 PM | 12h 08m |
| June solstice (longest day) | Jun 21, 2026 | 5:41 AM | 8:52 PM | 15h 11m |
| September equinox | Sep 22, 2026 | 7:02 AM | 7:11 PM | 12h 08m |
| December solstice (shortest day) | Dec 21, 2026 | 7:38 AM | 4:47 PM | 9h 09m |
West Des Moines sunrise & sunset — next 14 days
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu Oct 15 | 7:27 AM | 6:33 PM | 11h 05m | — |
| Fri Oct 16 | 7:28 AM | 6:31 PM | 11h 03m | −2m 41s |
| Sat Oct 17 | 7:29 AM | 6:30 PM | 11h 00m | −2m 40s |
| Sun Oct 18 | 7:30 AM | 6:28 PM | 10h 57m | −2m 40s |
| Mon Oct 19 | 7:31 AM | 6:27 PM | 10h 55m | −2m 39s |
| Tue Oct 20 | 7:32 AM | 6:25 PM | 10h 52m | −2m 38s |
| Wed Oct 21 | 7:34 AM | 6:24 PM | 10h 50m | −2m 38s |
| Thu Oct 22 | 7:35 AM | 6:22 PM | 10h 47m | −2m 37s |
| Fri Oct 23 | 7:36 AM | 6:21 PM | 10h 44m | −2m 36s |
| Sat Oct 24 | 7:37 AM | 6:19 PM | 10h 42m | −2m 36s |
| Sun Oct 25 | 7:38 AM | 6:18 PM | 10h 39m | −2m 34s |
| Mon Oct 26 | 7:39 AM | 6:16 PM | 10h 37m | −2m 34s |
| Tue Oct 27 | 7:41 AM | 6:15 PM | 10h 34m | −2m 33s |
| Wed Oct 28 | 7:42 AM | 6:14 PM | 10h 31m | −2m 32s |
Twilight times in West Des Moines today
| Phase | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical twilight | 5:54 AM | 8:05 PM |
| Nautical twilight | 6:26 AM | 7:33 PM |
| Civil twilight | 6:58 AM | 7:01 PM |
| Morning golden hour | 7:09 AM | 8:03 AM |
| Evening golden hour | 5:56 PM | 6:51 PM |
Civil, nautical and astronomical twilight describe how far the sun is below the horizon.
Sunrise & sunset in West Des Moines by month
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:41 AM | 4:55 PM | 9h 13m |
| February | 7:26 AM | 5:30 PM | 10h 03m |
| March | 6:49 AM | 6:05 PM | 11h 15m |
| April | 6:57 AM | 7:40 PM | 12h 42m |
| May | 6:11 AM | 8:12 PM | 14h 00m |
| June | 5:43 AM | 8:42 PM | 14h 59m |
| July | 5:44 AM | 8:52 PM | 15h 07m |
| August | 6:09 AM | 8:31 PM | 14h 22m |
| September | 6:41 AM | 7:47 PM | 13h 06m |
| October | 7:12 AM | 6:56 PM | 11h 44m |
| November | 6:47 AM | 5:09 PM | 10h 22m |
| December | 7:22 AM | 4:45 PM | 9h 22m |
Times shown for the 1st of each month, local time.
Sunset & sunrise FAQ for West Des Moines
What time is sunset in West Des Moines today?
Sunset in West Des Moines, Iowa is at 6:33 PM today. It shifts by a minute or two each day as the seasons change.
What time is sunrise in West Des Moines today?
Sunrise in West Des Moines is at 7:27 AM today, with 11h 05m of daylight to follow.
What time is sunrise in West Des Moines tomorrow?
Sunrise in West Des Moines tomorrow is at 7:28 AM, and sunset tomorrow is at 6:31 PM.
What time is sunset in West Des Moines tomorrow?
Sunset in West Des Moines tomorrow is at 6:31 PM.
How long is the day in West Des Moines today?
West Des Moines gets 11h 05m of daylight today, between sunrise at 7:27 AM and sunset at 6:33 PM.
When is golden hour in West Des Moines?
The evening golden hour in West Des Moines is about 5:56 PM to 6:51 PM today — the warm, soft light ideal for photos.
When is blue hour in West Des Moines?
The evening blue hour in West Des Moines runs from about 6:51 PM to 7:01 PM today, just after sunset.
What time does it get dark in West Des Moines?
After sunset at 6:33 PM, full darkness (the end of twilight) arrives in West Des Moines at around 7:01 PM today.
When is solar noon in West Des Moines?
Solar noon — when the sun is highest in the sky over West Des Moines — is at 1:00 PM today.
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Learn more about the sunset
- 🌇 What is golden hour?Golden hour is the warm, soft light just after sunrise and before sunset. Learn what it is, when it happens, how long it lasts, and how to use it.
- 🌆 What is blue hour?Discover what blue hour is, when it happens, how it differs from golden hour, and expert tips for photographing the soft blue twilight. Check exact blue.
- 🌌 Twilight explained: civil, nautical & astronomicalLearn the three phases of twilight—civil, nautical, astronomical—and what they mean for photographers, stargazers, and sunset lovers.
- 🌅 Why are sunsets red and orange?Discover the science behind red and orange sunsets, from Rayleigh scattering to air quality. Learn when and where to see the most vivid colors.
- 📸 The best time to photograph a sunsetDiscover the best time to photograph a sunset, from golden hour to blue hour. Learn exact timing, camera settings, and composition tips for stunning shots.
- ☀️ What is solar noon?Solar noon is when the sun reaches its highest point. Learn why it rarely matches 12:00 PM and how to find your exact solar noon.
- 📈 Why days get longer and shorter through the yearEarth's axial tilt drives seasonal day-length changes. Learn how solstices, equinoxes, and latitude affect daylight where you live.
- 🌞 The summer solstice explainedWhat causes the summer solstice, when it happens, and how it affects sunset times. Discover the science and beauty of the year's longest day.