You've probably noticed it. That weird, slightly annoying discrepancy between what your phone says and what you actually see when you look out the window. One minute it’s "sunset," and the next, you’re squinting through a blinding orange glare that definitely doesn’t feel like the end of the day.
Knowing what time will the sun go down today isn't just about avoiding a dark walk to the car. It’s a shifting target. Honestly, the "official" time is kinda just the beginning of the story.
The Big Answer: Today’s Global Sunset Snapshot
If you’re sitting in a major city on January 13, 2026, the numbers are already locked in by the physics of the Earth’s tilt. But they vary wildly depending on how far north or south you’ve parked yourself.
In New York City, the sun is scheduled to tuck behind the horizon at 4:51 pm. It’s a winter sunset, crisp and early. Compare that to Los Angeles, where the light lingers until 5:05 pm. Further north in London, things get even bleaker for sun-seekers, with the sun vanishing at a swift 4:17 pm.
Basically, the higher your latitude right now, the more you’re feeling the "winter squeeze." If you happen to be in Sunrise, Florida (ironic name for a sunset check), you’ve got until 5:49 pm before the lights go out.
Why Your "Sunset" Isn't Actually Sunset
Here’s the thing most people get wrong. When the weather man says the sun "sets" at 5:00 pm, he means the exact moment the top edge of the sun disappears below the horizon.
It doesn’t mean it gets dark.
You’ve actually got three distinct phases of fading light, known as twilight. Most of us just call it "getting dark," but if you're planning a hike or a photo shoot, the distinction matters.
- Civil Twilight: This is the "safe" zone. It lasts about 20–30 minutes after the official sunset time. The sun is technically gone, but there’s enough scattered light in the sky to see what you’re doing. You don’t need a flashlight yet.
- Nautical Twilight: Now we’re getting somewhere. The horizon becomes blurry. Sailors used to use this time to navigate by the stars while still seeing the edge of the sea.
- Astronomical Twilight: This is the real deal. The sky is finally, truly black.
In cities like NYC today, civil twilight doesn't end until about 5:21 pm. So, if you’re asking what time will the sun go down today because you want to finish a jog, you actually have a bit more cushion than the raw data suggests.
The Altitude Trick (And Why Mountains Lie to You)
Ever stood on a beach and watched the sun set, then climbed a giant sand dune and seen it set again? It’s not a glitch in the matrix.
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Your elevation changes your horizon.
If you’re at the top of a skyscraper or on a mountain peak, the sun will "go down" several minutes later than it does for the person in the valley below. Atmospheric refraction—basically the air acting like a giant lens—actually bends the sunlight around the curve of the Earth. You are literally seeing the sun after it has already moved below the line of sight. It’s a ghost image.
Photographers and the "Magic Hour"
If you’re a creator, the actual sunset time is basically your deadline. You’re looking for the Golden Hour. This happens twice a day—once just after sunrise and once about an hour before the sun goes down.
The light is warmer. Shadows are longer. Everything looks expensive.
Then there’s the Blue Hour. This happens during that civil twilight period I mentioned earlier. The sky turns a deep, electric indigo. It’s that brief window where city lights and the natural sky have the same intensity. If you miss it by ten minutes, the sky just looks like a black hole in your photos.
Actionable Steps for Your Evening
Stop relying on the generic weather app on your home screen if you need precision.
- Check the "Civil Twilight" end time: This is your actual cutoff for outdoor activities without gear.
- Account for your "local" horizon: If you live east of a mountain, your sunset "happens" much earlier than the official time because the sun disappears behind the rock, not the Earth's curve.
- Use a Sun Tracker: Apps like PhotoPills or The Photographer’s Ephemeris are gold standards for seeing exactly where the sun will drop relative to your specific street or backyard.
The sun doesn't just "turn off." It's a slow fade that depends on your height, your weather, and even the dust in the air. For today, January 13, plan for the light to start turning that deep, rich orange about 45 minutes before the official time, and keep your flashlight handy for about 30 minutes after.