The days are getting longer, and the sun is showing off many colors streaming across the sky. When you see the clouds moving and the colors flashing across the sky, it’s a fantastic feeling to capture it on camera and share your view with the world. The hardest part is…
How Do You Know When The Sunrise or Sunset Will Be Amazing?
That’s where some apps and resources come in to help. With the assistance of weather forecasts, temperatures, cloud coverage, angles, and more, there are several ways to predict the BEST sunrise or sunset.
SunsetWX - Website For Sunrise & Sunset Prediction
PRICE: FREE
With a wide variety of regions they cover through their site, this site seems straightforward in helping you predict the next big splash of color across the sky. Also handy with a "how to guide," the team at SunsetWX provides users a guide to interpreting the data they provide to make it easier for you to get ready for the next sky show!
What they say they do:
- Provide accurate, global sunrise and sunset quality forecasts utilizing proprietary methodologies
- Serve 37 domestic and international news platforms
- Partnered with The Weather Channel, where content is shown daily on AMHQ and Weather Underground TV
It packs up to the size of your phone!
Skyfire & The Photographer's Ephemeris App
PRICE: $9.99
One of the more popular apps for well-rounded photography tools, this app is excellent for those looking for more precise and integrated calculations for photography. Despite having a price tag, this app is very well-liked and popular for photographers planning their spots ahead of time.
What they say they do:
- Sunrise and sunset color forecasting for photographers. Subscription required
- Provides 3-day custom forecasts using a variety of weather data sources coupled with a proprietary algorithm for determining when the best color will be seen
- View sunrise and sunset forecasts for today plus two days ahead. Forecasts are updated regularly. Search for your desired location by name, or find your current device location on the map
Simulate the sunrise when you wake up in the morning!
SkyCandy Android & iOS Apps
PRICE: FREE - In App Purchases
Another app with paid options, the SkyCandy App provides maps and satellite images to help plan your next sunset and sunrise capture. This app seems helpful to not only provide what the sky will be like, but also blue hour times, multiple locations, and positions in the sky.
What they say they do:
- Using a mathematical sky formula, SkyCandy uses historic, current, and future weather data to determine if your next sunrise or sunset will be colorful and vivid. SkyCandy’s sunset forecast system has been tested to be 80% accurate
- Set fully customized alerts to get notified when an upcoming Sunrise or Sunset is going to be beautiful, colorful, and vivid with Sunrise and Sunset forecast alerts. Save up to 3 locations to receive alerts for in the premium version
- Using the Sun Position Tool, drop a pin anywhere on the map to know exactly which direction the Sun will be at any time, any date, and any location. Great for photographers that are scouting a photo shoot location and want to know what direction the Sun will be in when they are taking photos
Folded up to the size of a bottle!
MySunset Android & iOS App
PRICE: FREE
Our founder, Virginia, has used this app for a years and found it is 50/50 on the forecast predictions. This app is free, so it is better than not knowing at all. This app is perfect if you are looking for a "general idea" of what to expect from the sunset or sunrise.
What they say they do:
- An interactive map with an overlay showing the forecasted quality of upcoming sunrises and sunsets. By default, your current location is shown on the map. On this screen, you can toggle between sunrise and sunset, change the date, move the map around, and zoom in and out of the map.
- The second screen is a table showing a list of custom locations. Each location displays a forecast percentage, a corresponding color representing the quality of the sunrise/sunset, and the time of the sunrise/sunset. Add as many custom locations as desired.
Tips For Shooting Sunrise or Sunset
Golden Hour
The Golden Hour is when the sun is showing off the most vibrant colors! This is typically 15 minutes before and after the sun rises or sets.
Blue Hour
The Blue Hour is the hour before sunrise and the hour after sunset. This is when the sky has a blue glow, and you can typically see the pastel colors across the horizon.
- Be sure to wait. When you see the vibrant colors of the sunset or the amazing pinks of a sunrise, you want to be patient. Wait around for another 15-20 minutes so you can see if the sun and the angle of the clouds change even more.
- Have fun! Shooting the sunrise can be hard to get up for in the early morning hours, but make it fun. Take a nap on the beach afterward or camp out the night before.
Once you have your apps downloaded and your times to set up for a fantastic sunrise or sunset, be sure to use the NJspots Map for the best spots for watching. We have dozens of great spots for you to watch the sunset or sunrise in New Jersey. Be sure to check them out and get there early enough to set up for that next great shot!
Now, that you have some resources to help you predict and get ready for an awe-inspiring sunrise or fire-in-the-sky sunset, this can help you capture the next amazing sky show.
