Sunset & Sunrise Today in Watertown, South Dakota
Sunrise & Sunset Tomorrow in Watertown: sunrise 7:45 AM, sunset 6:41 PM.
Today, Thursday, October 15, sunset in Watertown is at 6:43 PM and sunrise was at 7:44 AM, giving Watertown 10h 58m between first and last light. The sun reaches its high point above Watertown at 1:14 PM.
Because Watertown is at 44.90° (the mid-latitudes), daylight swings noticeably between the long days of summer and the short days of winter. Each day is currently getting about 3 minutes shorter and 1 seconds. This is autumn in Watertown, so the daily sun times are still on the move.
If you're shooting at sunset, aim for Watertown's golden hour, about 6:04 PM to 7:02 PM. The blue hour follows, roughly 7:02 PM to 7:13 PM, as twilight deepens.
Tomorrow, sunset in Watertown is at 6:41 PM and sunrise at 7:45 AM — about 3m 1s less daylight than today. The table below shows how sunrise and sunset in Watertown drift across the whole year.
Autumn has arrived in Watertown, and the days are drawing in. Over the course of the year, sunset in Watertown ranges from as early as 4:46 PM (around December 7) to as late as 9:18 PM (around June 21). Its longest day lands on June 20 with 15h 35m of daylight, and its shortest on December 21 with just 8h 46m.
Moon in Watertown today
Sunset today: Watertown vs nearby cities
| City | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | 7:44 AM | 6:43 PM | 10h 58m |
| Brookings | 7:42 AM | 6:42 PM | 11h 00m |
| Aberdeen | 7:50 AM | 6:47 PM | 10h 57m |
| Sioux Falls | 7:41 AM | 6:43 PM | 11h 01m |
Watertown sun facts for 2026
- Longest day June 20 — 15h 35m of daylight
- Shortest day December 21 — 8h 46m
- Latest sunset 9:18 PM (June 21)
- Earliest sunset 4:46 PM (December 7)
- Earliest sunrise 5:41 AM (June 12)
- Latest sunrise 8:06 AM (January 1)
Solstices & equinoxes in Watertown (2026)
| Event | Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Mar 20, 2026 | 7:31 AM | 7:40 PM | 12h 09m |
| June solstice (longest day) | Jun 21, 2026 | 5:42 AM | 9:18 PM | 15h 35m |
| September equinox | Sep 22, 2026 | 7:15 AM | 7:25 PM | 12h 09m |
| December solstice (shortest day) | Dec 21, 2026 | 8:03 AM | 4:49 PM | 8h 46m |
Watertown sunrise & sunset — next 14 days
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu Oct 15 | 7:44 AM | 6:43 PM | 10h 58m | — |
| Fri Oct 16 | 7:45 AM | 6:41 PM | 10h 55m | −3m 01s |
| Sat Oct 17 | 7:47 AM | 6:39 PM | 10h 52m | −3m 01s |
| Sun Oct 18 | 7:48 AM | 6:38 PM | 10h 49m | −3m 00s |
| Mon Oct 19 | 7:49 AM | 6:36 PM | 10h 46m | −2m 59s |
| Tue Oct 20 | 7:50 AM | 6:34 PM | 10h 43m | −2m 59s |
| Wed Oct 21 | 7:52 AM | 6:33 PM | 10h 40m | −2m 58s |
| Thu Oct 22 | 7:53 AM | 6:31 PM | 10h 37m | −2m 57s |
| Fri Oct 23 | 7:54 AM | 6:29 PM | 10h 34m | −2m 56s |
| Sat Oct 24 | 7:56 AM | 6:28 PM | 10h 31m | −2m 55s |
| Sun Oct 25 | 7:57 AM | 6:26 PM | 10h 28m | −2m 55s |
| Mon Oct 26 | 7:58 AM | 6:25 PM | 10h 26m | −2m 54s |
| Tue Oct 27 | 8:00 AM | 6:23 PM | 10h 23m | −2m 52s |
| Wed Oct 28 | 8:01 AM | 6:22 PM | 10h 20m | −2m 52s |
Twilight times in Watertown today
| Phase | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical twilight | 6:06 AM | 8:20 PM |
| Nautical twilight | 6:40 AM | 7:46 PM |
| Civil twilight | 7:14 AM | 7:13 PM |
| Morning golden hour | 7:25 AM | 8:23 AM |
| Evening golden hour | 6:04 PM | 7:02 PM |
Civil, nautical and astronomical twilight describe how far the sun is below the horizon.
Sunrise & sunset in Watertown by month
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8:06 AM | 4:57 PM | 8h 51m |
| February | 7:48 AM | 5:36 PM | 9h 48m |
| March | 7:06 AM | 6:15 PM | 11h 09m |
| April | 7:09 AM | 7:56 PM | 12h 46m |
| May | 6:18 AM | 8:33 PM | 14h 15m |
| June | 5:45 AM | 9:07 PM | 15h 21m |
| July | 5:46 AM | 9:18 PM | 15h 31m |
| August | 6:14 AM | 8:54 PM | 14h 39m |
| September | 6:51 AM | 8:04 PM | 13h 13m |
| October | 7:26 AM | 7:08 PM | 11h 41m |
| November | 7:07 AM | 5:16 PM | 10h 09m |
| December | 7:46 AM | 4:48 PM | 9h 01m |
Times shown for the 1st of each month, local time.
Sunset & sunrise FAQ for Watertown
What time is sunset in Watertown today?
Sunset in Watertown, South Dakota is at 6:43 PM today. It shifts by a minute or two each day as the seasons change.
What time is sunrise in Watertown today?
Sunrise in Watertown is at 7:44 AM today, with 10h 58m of daylight to follow.
What time is sunrise in Watertown tomorrow?
Sunrise in Watertown tomorrow is at 7:45 AM, and sunset tomorrow is at 6:41 PM.
What time is sunset in Watertown tomorrow?
Sunset in Watertown tomorrow is at 6:41 PM.
How long is the day in Watertown today?
Watertown gets 10h 58m of daylight today, between sunrise at 7:44 AM and sunset at 6:43 PM.
When is golden hour in Watertown?
The evening golden hour in Watertown is about 6:04 PM to 7:02 PM today — the warm, soft light ideal for photos.
When is blue hour in Watertown?
The evening blue hour in Watertown runs from about 7:02 PM to 7:13 PM today, just after sunset.
What time does it get dark in Watertown?
After sunset at 6:43 PM, full darkness (the end of twilight) arrives in Watertown at around 7:13 PM today.
When is solar noon in Watertown?
Solar noon — when the sun is highest in the sky over Watertown — is at 1:14 PM today.
Nearest cities to Watertown
More cities in South Dakota
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.