Sunset & Sunrise Today in West Raleigh, North Carolina
Sunrise & Sunset Tomorrow in West Raleigh: sunrise 7:22 AM, sunset 6:37 PM.
In West Raleigh, North Carolina, the sun rises at 7:21 AM and sets at 6:38 PM today, Thursday, October 15, 2026, for a total of 11h 17m of daylight. Local solar noon in West Raleigh falls at 1:00 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 2 minutes shorter and 11 seconds. As autumn 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 6:05 PM to 6:55 PM — that warm, low, flattering light just before sunset. The blue hour follows, roughly 6:55 PM to 7:04 PM, as twilight deepens.
Tomorrow, sunset in West Raleigh is at 6:37 PM and sunrise at 7:22 AM — about 2m 10s less daylight than today. The table below shows how sunrise and sunset in West Raleigh drift across the whole year.
Autumn has arrived in West Raleigh, and the days are drawing in. 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 | 7:21 AM | 6:38 PM | 11h 17m |
| Raleigh | 7:21 AM | 6:38 PM | 11h 17m |
| Cary | 7:22 AM | 6:39 PM | 11h 17m |
| Apex | 7:22 AM | 6:39 PM | 11h 17m |
| Wake Forest | 7:21 AM | 6:37 PM | 11h 16m |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu Oct 15 | 7:21 AM | 6:38 PM | 11h 17m | — |
| Fri Oct 16 | 7:22 AM | 6:37 PM | 11h 14m | −2m 10s |
| Sat Oct 17 | 7:23 AM | 6:36 PM | 11h 12m | −2m 09s |
| Sun Oct 18 | 7:24 AM | 6:34 PM | 11h 10m | −2m 10s |
| Mon Oct 19 | 7:25 AM | 6:33 PM | 11h 08m | −2m 08s |
| Tue Oct 20 | 7:25 AM | 6:32 PM | 11h 06m | −2m 09s |
| Wed Oct 21 | 7:26 AM | 6:31 PM | 11h 04m | −2m 07s |
| Thu Oct 22 | 7:27 AM | 6:29 PM | 11h 02m | −2m 07s |
| Fri Oct 23 | 7:28 AM | 6:28 PM | 11h 00m | −2m 06s |
| Sat Oct 24 | 7:29 AM | 6:27 PM | 10h 57m | −2m 06s |
| Sun Oct 25 | 7:30 AM | 6:26 PM | 10h 55m | −2m 05s |
| Mon Oct 26 | 7:31 AM | 6:25 PM | 10h 53m | −2m 04s |
| Tue Oct 27 | 7:32 AM | 6:24 PM | 10h 51m | −2m 03s |
| Wed Oct 28 | 7:33 AM | 6:22 PM | 10h 49m | −2m 03s |
Twilight times in West Raleigh today
| Phase | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical twilight | 5:56 AM | 8:03 PM |
| Nautical twilight | 6:25 AM | 7:34 PM |
| Civil twilight | 6:55 AM | 7:04 PM |
| Morning golden hour | 7:05 AM | 7:55 AM |
| Evening golden hour | 6:05 PM | 6:55 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 6:38 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 7:21 AM today, with 11h 17m of daylight to follow.
What time is sunrise in West Raleigh tomorrow?
Sunrise in West Raleigh tomorrow is at 7:22 AM, and sunset tomorrow is at 6:37 PM.
What time is sunset in West Raleigh tomorrow?
Sunset in West Raleigh tomorrow is at 6:37 PM.
How long is the day in West Raleigh today?
West Raleigh gets 11h 17m of daylight today, between sunrise at 7:21 AM and sunset at 6:38 PM.
When is golden hour in West Raleigh?
The evening golden hour in West Raleigh is about 6:05 PM to 6:55 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 6:55 PM to 7:04 PM today, just after sunset.
What time does it get dark in West Raleigh?
After sunset at 6:38 PM, full darkness (the end of twilight) arrives in West Raleigh at around 7:04 PM today.
When is solar noon in West Raleigh?
Solar noon — when the sun is highest in the sky over West Raleigh — is at 1:00 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.