How are Sunrise/Sunset Forecasts calculated?

Forecasts are generated by our friends at SunsetWX. While they don't detail everything that goes into their calculations they use cloud cover, moisture and pressure. Using various weather models 3km NAM and 13km GFS they generate forecasts periodically for up to 4 days in the future.

How accurate are Sunrise and Sunset forecasts?

Sunrise/Sunset forecasts rely on the forecasts from the NAM/GFS models to be accurate. If those forecasts are off there is a good chance the SunsetWX forecast will be incorrect. If you're in an area where weather forecasts are often wrong the forecasts shown in Alpenglow are likely to be off also. We're hoping that over time forecasts will continue to improve in accuracy and thus improving the forecasts provided in Alpenglow. Around Sunrise/Sunset you are able to submit Field Reports via the app, These will be used to improve future forecasts.

Golden Hour is the period shortly after sunrise or before sunset, where the light hitting your surroundings is redder and softer. Golden Hour is also often called "Magic Hour".

How do I access forecasts further ahead?

With Alpenglow Plus and Pro you can view forecasts for up-to 4 days in the future.

Can I get notified about a great forecast?

With Alpenglow Pro you can enable notifications which will alert you to a light forecast above your desired threshold.

Alpenglow

Never miss an incredible sunrise or sunset again

Set up reminders for your favorite time to shoot and check sunrise & sunset forecasts for the perfect light quality.

Screenshots of Alpenglow on iPhone and Apple Watch

“I’m a photographer and when I’m planning where I’m going to shoot this app is imperative. Being able to gauge sunrise and sunset quality before I decide on a location is critical if I only have a few days at a location. I couldn’t recommend this app more highly.”

Check out more reviews...

Features

Alpenglow includes a bunch of features to help you not miss out on an incredible Sunrise or Sunset whether you plan to watch or capture it.

Quality Predictions
Check today's Sunrise or Sunset prediction, or peek ahead to tomorrow's Sunrise or Sunset forecast. Forecasts are calculated using various weather variables and presented as percentages and scores.
Golden Hour Times
Quickly access Sunrise, Sunset, Blue Hour, and Magic Hour Times for any location or date.
Reminders
Choose to enable Reminders for Sunrise, Sunset, and Golden Hours, so you never miss out. With additional options to adjust how early Alpenglow reminds you.
Plan Ahead
Switch the date or location to view times and forecasts before leaving on a trip.
Widgets*
Have Sunrise, Sunset and Magic Hour times right on your Home Screen & Lock Screen with Alpenglow's various free widgets.
Learn more about Alpenglow's Widgets.
Share a Forecast
Planning a photography trip with someone? Share the Forecast for the day and specific location. If they're on iOS they'll be able to view the Forecast within the Alpenglow App Clip.
Field Reports
Like any weather forecast, sometimes Alpenglow gets it wrong. Submit a field report with your score along with a photo and these will be used to improve forecasts over time.
Map*
You can view sun direction for any location or date/time with the sun direction map.
Localization
Alpenglow is also available in multiple languages. Thanks to users like you who've helped translate the app into over 25 languages. Including Spanish, Italian, French, German and more.
Dark Mode
Support for Dark Mode on iOS and Android. Don't let glare from your phone disturb your Sunrise & Sunset experience.
Dynamic Type Support
Font's throughout Alpenglow will scale based on your selected font size on iOS.

Alpenglow Plus

Unlock Alpenglow Plus through a one-time tip to support the costs and development of Alpenglow. You can unlock even more features with Alpenglow Pro.

See further into the future
With Alpenglow Plus, you can see up to 4 days into the future (vs. today & tomorrow).
Increased Accuracy
Forecasts will be fetched using a coordinate closer to your exact location.
Location Elevation
Elevation will be retrieved and used to provide more accurate times for Sunrise, Sunset, Blur Hour, and Golden Hour times.
Customization*
Adjust the color scheme of the app and select from different versions of the Alpenglow App Icon.
Outlook
With the ability to see further into the future, you'll also be able to check a glanceable view of all available quality forecasts on the Outlook tab.

Alpenglow Pro

Alpenglow Pro is unlocked if you continue to support Alpenglow using an In-App Subscription or a one-time lifetime purchase. With Alpenglow Pro, you unlock everything from Alpenglow Plus along with a few additional features. These features require increased ongoing server & service costs.

Forecast Notifications
We've all missed an amazing Sunrise or Sunset. Receive notifications when the forecast for your location is above a threshold set by you.
Forecast Widgets*
Unlock Forecast Widgets for your Home Screen & Lock Screen, With the ability to add widgets for multiple locations.
Learn more about Alpenglow's Widgets.
Forecast & Outlook Complications*
Alpenglow will use an approximate location to retrieve forecasts. With Alpenglow Pro, the app will use your exact spot to retrieve them.
Learn more about Alpenglow's Apple Watch Complications.
More accuracy
Alpenglow will use an approximate location to retrieve forecasts. With Alpenglow Pro, the app will use your exact spot to retrieve them.
Custom Locations*
Get alerted when a sunrise/sunset is forecasted to be good at other locations, allowing you to plan ahead.

* Some features are currently not available on Android.

Frequently asked questions

: Forecasts are generated by our friends at SunsetWX. While they don't detail everything that goes into their calculations they use cloud cover, moisture and pressure.

Using various weather models 3km NAM and 13km GFS they generate forecasts periodically for up to 4 days in the future.
: Sunrise/Sunset forecasts rely on the forecasts from the NAM/GFS models to be accurate. If those forecasts are off there is a good chance the SunsetWX forecast will be incorrect. If you're in an area where weather forecasts are often wrong the forecasts shown in Alpenglow are likely to be off also.

We're hoping that over time forecasts will continue to improve in accuracy and thus improving the forecasts provided in Alpenglow.

Around Sunrise/Sunset you are able to submit Field Reports via the app, These will be used to improve future forecasts.
: Golden Hour is the period shortly after sunrise or before sunset, where the light hitting your surroundings is redder and softer. Golden Hour is also often called "Magic Hour".
: With Alpenglow Plus and Pro you can view forecasts for up-to 4 days in the future.
: With Alpenglow Pro you can enable notifications which will alert you to a light forecast above your desired threshold.

Never miss an incredible sunrise or sunset again

Features

Quality Predictions

Golden Hour Times

Reminders

Plan Ahead

Widgets*

Share a Forecast

Field Reports

Map*

Localization

Dark Mode

Dynamic Type Support

Alpenglow Plus

See further into the future

Increased Accuracy

Location Elevation

Customization*

Outlook

Alpenglow Pro

Forecast Notifications

Forecast Widgets*

Forecast & Outlook Complications*

More accuracy

Custom Locations*

Frequently asked questions

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