Sunset & Sunrise Today in McLean, Virginia
Sunrise & Sunset Tomorrow in McLean: sunrise 6:30 AM, sunset 7:50 PM.
McLean, Virginia sees the sun come up at 6:29 AM and go down at 7:52 PM on Sunday, August 23, 2026 — 13h 22m of daylight from sunrise to sunset. Solar noon, when the sun is highest over McLean, is at 1:11 PM.
McLean lies at latitude 38.93°, in the mid-latitudes, where 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 20 seconds. As summer progresses, sunrise and sunset in McLean move a little each day rather than staying fixed.
If you're shooting at sunset, aim for McLean's golden hour, about 7:17 PM to 8:09 PM. The blue hour follows, roughly 8:09 PM to 8:20 PM, as twilight deepens.
Tomorrow, sunset in McLean is at 7:50 PM and sunrise at 6:30 AM — about 2m 21s less daylight than today. The table below shows how sunrise and sunset in McLean drift across the whole year.
It's summer in McLean right now, when daylight is at its most generous. Over the course of the year, sunset in McLean ranges from as early as 4:46 PM (around November 30) to as late as 8:38 PM (around June 26). Its longest day lands on June 20 with 14h 53m of daylight, and its shortest on December 21 with just 9h 25m.
Moon in McLean today
Sunset today: McLean vs nearby cities
| City | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| McLean | 6:29 AM | 7:52 PM | 13h 22m |
| Bethesda | 6:29 AM | 7:51 PM | 13h 22m |
| Arlington | 6:29 AM | 7:51 PM | 13h 22m |
| Mount Pleasant | 6:29 AM | 7:51 PM | 13h 22m |
| Central 14th Street / Spring Road | 6:29 AM | 7:51 PM | 13h 22m |
McLean sun facts for 2026
- Longest day June 20 — 14h 53m of daylight
- Shortest day December 21 — 9h 25m
- Latest sunset 8:38 PM (June 26)
- Earliest sunset 4:46 PM (November 30)
- Earliest sunrise 5:42 AM (June 12)
- Latest sunrise 7:35 AM (October 31)
Solstices & equinoxes in McLean (2026)
| Event | Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Mar 20, 2026 | 7:12 AM | 7:20 PM | 12h 08m |
| June solstice (longest day) | Jun 21, 2026 | 5:43 AM | 8:37 PM | 14h 53m |
| September equinox | Sep 22, 2026 | 6:56 AM | 7:05 PM | 12h 08m |
| December solstice (shortest day) | Dec 21, 2026 | 7:24 AM | 4:49 PM | 9h 25m |
McLean sunrise & sunset — next 14 days
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Aug 23 | 6:29 AM | 7:52 PM | 13h 22m | — |
| Mon Aug 24 | 6:30 AM | 7:50 PM | 13h 19m | −2m 21s |
| Tue Aug 25 | 6:31 AM | 7:49 PM | 13h 17m | −2m 21s |
| Wed Aug 26 | 6:32 AM | 7:47 PM | 13h 15m | −2m 22s |
| Thu Aug 27 | 6:33 AM | 7:46 PM | 13h 12m | −2m 23s |
| Fri Aug 28 | 6:34 AM | 7:44 PM | 13h 10m | −2m 23s |
| Sat Aug 29 | 6:35 AM | 7:43 PM | 13h 08m | −2m 24s |
| Sun Aug 30 | 6:36 AM | 7:41 PM | 13h 05m | −2m 24s |
| Mon Aug 31 | 6:37 AM | 7:40 PM | 13h 03m | −2m 25s |
| Tue Sep 1 | 6:37 AM | 7:38 PM | 13h 00m | −2m 26s |
| Wed Sep 2 | 6:38 AM | 7:37 PM | 12h 58m | −2m 26s |
| Thu Sep 3 | 6:39 AM | 7:35 PM | 12h 55m | −2m 26s |
| Fri Sep 4 | 6:40 AM | 7:34 PM | 12h 53m | −2m 27s |
| Sat Sep 5 | 6:41 AM | 7:32 PM | 12h 51m | −2m 27s |
Twilight times in McLean today
| Phase | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical twilight | 4:52 AM | 9:28 PM |
| Nautical twilight | 5:28 AM | 8:53 PM |
| Civil twilight | 6:01 AM | 8:20 PM |
| Morning golden hour | 6:12 AM | 7:04 AM |
| Evening golden hour | 7:17 PM | 8:09 PM |
Civil, nautical and astronomical twilight describe how far the sun is below the horizon.
Sunrise & sunset in McLean by month
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:27 AM | 4:57 PM | 9h 29m |
| February | 7:15 AM | 5:29 PM | 10h 14m |
| March | 6:41 AM | 6:01 PM | 11h 20m |
| April | 6:53 AM | 7:32 PM | 12h 38m |
| May | 6:10 AM | 8:01 PM | 13h 50m |
| June | 5:45 AM | 8:28 PM | 14h 42m |
| July | 5:47 AM | 8:37 PM | 14h 50m |
| August | 6:09 AM | 8:19 PM | 14h 09m |
| September | 6:37 AM | 7:38 PM | 13h 00m |
| October | 7:04 AM | 6:51 PM | 11h 46m |
| November | 6:36 AM | 5:07 PM | 10h 31m |
| December | 7:08 AM | 4:46 PM | 9h 37m |
Times shown for the 1st of each month, local time.
Sunset & sunrise FAQ for McLean
What time is sunset in McLean today?
Sunset in McLean, Virginia is at 7:52 PM today. It shifts by a minute or two each day as the seasons change.
What time is sunrise in McLean today?
Sunrise in McLean is at 6:29 AM today, with 13h 22m of daylight to follow.
What time is sunrise in McLean tomorrow?
Sunrise in McLean tomorrow is at 6:30 AM, and sunset tomorrow is at 7:50 PM.
What time is sunset in McLean tomorrow?
Sunset in McLean tomorrow is at 7:50 PM.
How long is the day in McLean today?
McLean gets 13h 22m of daylight today, between sunrise at 6:29 AM and sunset at 7:52 PM.
When is golden hour in McLean?
The evening golden hour in McLean is about 7:17 PM to 8:09 PM today — the warm, soft light ideal for photos.
When is blue hour in McLean?
The evening blue hour in McLean runs from about 8:09 PM to 8:20 PM today, just after sunset.
What time does it get dark in McLean?
After sunset at 7:52 PM, full darkness (the end of twilight) arrives in McLean at around 8:20 PM today.
When is solar noon in McLean?
Solar noon — when the sun is highest in the sky over McLean — is at 1:11 PM today.
Nearest cities to McLean
- BethesdaMD
- ArlingtonVA
- Mount PleasantDC
- Central 14th Street / Spring RoadDC
- Columbia HeightsDC
- WashingtonDC
- Downtown DCDC
- Silver SpringMD
More cities in Virginia
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.