Sunset & Sunrise Today in West Raleigh, North Carolina
Sunrise & Sunset Tomorrow in West Raleigh: sunrise 6:35 AM, sunset 8:01 PM.
In West Raleigh, North Carolina, the sun rises at 6:34 AM and sets at 8:02 PM today, Sunday, August 16, 2026, for a total of 13h 28m of daylight. Local solar noon in West Raleigh falls at 1:19 PM.
Sitting at 35.79° latitude puts West Raleigh in the mid-latitudes — daylight swings noticeably between the long days of summer and the short days of winter. Each day is currently getting about 1 minute shorter and 59 seconds. As summer progresses, sunrise and sunset in West Raleigh move a little each day rather than staying fixed.
For photographers, the evening golden hour in West Raleigh runs from about 7:28 PM to 8:19 PM — that warm, low, flattering light just before sunset. The blue hour follows, roughly 8:19 PM to 8:30 PM, as twilight deepens.
Tomorrow, sunset in West Raleigh is at 8:01 PM and sunrise at 6:35 AM — about 2m 0s less daylight than today. The table below shows how sunrise and sunset in West Raleigh drift across the whole year.
This is high summer in West Raleigh, the season of long evenings. Over the course of the year, sunset in West Raleigh ranges from as early as 5:00 PM (around November 30) to as late as 8:34 PM (around June 22). Its longest day lands on June 20 with 14h 34m of daylight, and its shortest on December 21 with just 9h 43m.
Moon in West Raleigh today
Sunset today: West Raleigh vs nearby cities
| City | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Raleigh | 6:34 AM | 8:02 PM | 13h 28m |
| Raleigh | 6:34 AM | 8:02 PM | 13h 28m |
| Cary | 6:35 AM | 8:03 PM | 13h 28m |
| Durham | 6:35 AM | 8:03 PM | 13h 28m |
| Chapel Hill | 6:35 AM | 8:04 PM | 13h 28m |
West Raleigh sun facts for 2026
- Longest day June 20 — 14h 34m of daylight
- Shortest day December 21 — 9h 43m
- Latest sunset 8:34 PM (June 22)
- Earliest sunset 5:00 PM (November 30)
- Earliest sunrise 5:58 AM (June 6)
- Latest sunrise 7:36 AM (October 31)
Solstices & equinoxes in West Raleigh (2026)
| Event | Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Mar 20, 2026 | 7:18 AM | 7:26 PM | 12h 07m |
| June solstice (longest day) | Jun 21, 2026 | 5:59 AM | 8:33 PM | 14h 34m |
| September equinox | Sep 22, 2026 | 7:02 AM | 7:11 PM | 12h 08m |
| December solstice (shortest day) | Dec 21, 2026 | 7:21 AM | 5:04 PM | 9h 43m |
West Raleigh sunrise & sunset — next 14 days
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Aug 16 | 6:34 AM | 8:02 PM | 13h 28m | — |
| Mon Aug 17 | 6:35 AM | 8:01 PM | 13h 26m | −2m 00s |
| Tue Aug 18 | 6:36 AM | 8:00 PM | 13h 24m | −2m 00s |
| Wed Aug 19 | 6:36 AM | 7:59 PM | 13h 22m | −2m 02s |
| Thu Aug 20 | 6:37 AM | 7:57 PM | 13h 20m | −2m 02s |
| Fri Aug 21 | 6:38 AM | 7:56 PM | 13h 18m | −2m 03s |
| Sat Aug 22 | 6:39 AM | 7:55 PM | 13h 15m | −2m 04s |
| Sun Aug 23 | 6:40 AM | 7:53 PM | 13h 13m | −2m 05s |
| Mon Aug 24 | 6:40 AM | 7:52 PM | 13h 11m | −2m 05s |
| Tue Aug 25 | 6:41 AM | 7:51 PM | 13h 09m | −2m 06s |
| Wed Aug 26 | 6:42 AM | 7:49 PM | 13h 07m | −2m 06s |
| Thu Aug 27 | 6:43 AM | 7:48 PM | 13h 05m | −2m 07s |
| Fri Aug 28 | 6:43 AM | 7:47 PM | 13h 03m | −2m 08s |
| Sat Aug 29 | 6:44 AM | 7:45 PM | 13h 01m | −2m 08s |
Twilight times in West Raleigh today
| Phase | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical twilight | 5:00 AM | 9:36 PM |
| Nautical twilight | 5:34 AM | 9:02 PM |
| Civil twilight | 6:06 AM | 8:30 PM |
| Morning golden hour | 6:17 AM | 7:08 AM |
| Evening golden hour | 7:28 PM | 8:19 PM |
Civil, nautical and astronomical twilight describe how far the sun is below the horizon.
Sunrise & sunset in West Raleigh by month
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:24 AM | 5:11 PM | 9h 46m |
| February | 7:15 AM | 5:41 PM | 10h 26m |
| March | 6:44 AM | 6:09 PM | 11h 24m |
| April | 7:01 AM | 7:36 PM | 12h 35m |
| May | 6:22 AM | 8:01 PM | 13h 38m |
| June | 6:00 AM | 8:25 PM | 14h 25m |
| July | 6:02 AM | 8:34 PM | 14h 32m |
| August | 6:22 AM | 8:18 PM | 13h 55m |
| September | 6:46 AM | 7:41 PM | 12h 54m |
| October | 7:09 AM | 6:58 PM | 11h 48m |
| November | 6:37 AM | 5:18 PM | 10h 41m |
| December | 7:06 AM | 5:00 PM | 9h 54m |
Times shown for the 1st of each month, local time.
Sunset & sunrise FAQ for West Raleigh
What time is sunset in West Raleigh today?
Sunset in West Raleigh, North Carolina is at 8:02 PM today. It shifts by a minute or two each day as the seasons change.
What time is sunrise in West Raleigh today?
Sunrise in West Raleigh is at 6:34 AM today, with 13h 28m of daylight to follow.
What time is sunrise in West Raleigh tomorrow?
Sunrise in West Raleigh tomorrow is at 6:35 AM, and sunset tomorrow is at 8:01 PM.
What time is sunset in West Raleigh tomorrow?
Sunset in West Raleigh tomorrow is at 8:01 PM.
How long is the day in West Raleigh today?
West Raleigh gets 13h 28m of daylight today, between sunrise at 6:34 AM and sunset at 8:02 PM.
When is golden hour in West Raleigh?
The evening golden hour in West Raleigh is about 7:28 PM to 8:19 PM today — the warm, soft light ideal for photos.
When is blue hour in West Raleigh?
The evening blue hour in West Raleigh runs from about 8:19 PM to 8:30 PM today, just after sunset.
What time does it get dark in West Raleigh?
After sunset at 8:02 PM, full darkness (the end of twilight) arrives in West Raleigh at around 8:30 PM today.
When is solar noon in West Raleigh?
Solar noon — when the sun is highest in the sky over West Raleigh — is at 1:19 PM today.
Nearest cities to West Raleigh
More cities in North Carolina
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.