For the first time in over 80 days, the Seattle sunset will take place after 5:00 p.m. today.
Rejoice, Seattleites: we are almost through the Big Dark this year. According to Time and Date, the sun will set in Seattle at 5:01 p.m. today, Thursday, January 26, 2023.
The last time Seattle saw a sunset take place after 5:00 p.m. was more than 80 days ago on November 5, 2022—thanks to the end of Daylight Saving Time on November 6. We traded in later sunsets for brighter mornings as we turned the clocks back one hour. The Seattle sunset on that day back in November was at 4:44 p.m. and it only got earlier from there.
On December 21, we experienced the shortest day of 2022—aka winter solstice. On this day, the sun set at 4:20 p.m. After that, the sunset started to creep closer and closer back to 5:00 p.m. As of today, we’ve finally made it!
That being said, the sun won’t set after 6:00 p.m. again in Seattle until March 5, 2023. Mark that date on your calendar now so you remember to look forward to the return of later sunsets in March—a time when we all need a sign of spring to get us through the end of the Big Dark.
In the meantime, we recommend staying warm and cozy while we wait for longer spring days. Check out some of our guides that will help you get through the remainder of winter:
- The top 10 Seattle saunas and hot tubs
- 30 cozy things to do on a rainy day in Seattle
- The most scenic winter train routes from Seattle
- 10 Seattle bars and restaurants with cozy fireplaces
And if you’d like to make the most of viewing tonight’s 5:00 p.m. sunset, check out our list of the best spots to watch the sunset in Seattle.