Tomorrow's Sunrise: Set the Alarm or Sleep In?
For early risers and sunrise photographers deciding tonight whether tomorrow's wake-up is worth it. Read the forecast, set the alarm with confidence, or roll over guilt-free.
By Andrew YatesBuilding sunrise & sunset forecasts since 2016
New York CityAmerica/New_York
Sunrise
7:17AM
Sunrise direction 105° ESE
- Morning blue hour
- 6:49 AM – 7:17 AM
- Morning golden hour
- 7:17 AM – 7:55 AM
- Solar noon
- 12:40 PM
- Sunset
- 6:02 PM
- Day length
- 10h 45m
- Evening blue hour
- 6:02 PM – 6:30 PM
Get Your Local Sunrise Forecast
Download Alpenglow for personalized sunrise predictions based on your exact location. Set notifications to wake up only when a spectacular sunrise is predicted.
Tomorrow's Sunrise Forecast by City
Planning Tomorrow's Sunrise Photography
The key to capturing a stunning sunrise is preparation. By checking the forecast the night before, you can decide whether it's worth setting an early alarm and have time to scout your location.
🌙 The Night Before
Check the forecast quality percentage. If it's above 50%, set your alarm for 45 minutes before sunrise. Prepare your camera gear, charge batteries, and plan your route to avoid rushing.
📍 Scout Your Location
Use the sun direction calculator to see exactly where the sun will rise. Identify foreground elements that will be lit by the warm morning light. Consider reflections in water or windows.
⏰ Arrive Early
Get to your location during blue hour, about 30-45 minutes before sunrise. This gives you time to set up, adjust composition, and capture the pre-dawn colors that are often overlooked.
Golden Hour
Stay for golden hour after sunrise. The warm, soft light until the sun climbs about 6° above the horizon (roughly 30-60 minutes at mid-latitudes) is perfect for portraits, landscapes, and architecture. The best light often comes 15-30 minutes after the sun appears.
Reading Tomorrow's Forecast
The forecast quality percentage is the single fastest signal. Here's how to translate it into a wake-up decision tonight:
⏰ 75%+: Set the alarm
Strong color is likely on the eastern horizon. Charge the camera tonight, lay clothes out, set your alarm for 45 minutes before sunrise.
🤔 50-74%: Your call
Decent odds; not exceptional. If you're already an early riser, take the morning. If you'd be dragging yourself out of bed for 55%, save the energy for a better day.
😴 Below 50%: Sleep in
Likely overcast or featureless sky. Roll over. The forecast updates overnight as weather data refreshes, so check again at dawn if you wake naturally.
90%+: Drop everything
Rare. Tell a friend. The forecast model genuinely predicts a once-or-twice-a-month morning. Pre-dawn colors will likely outshine the sunrise itself.
Want the science behind the percentage? What makes a good sunrise covers cloud altitudes, eastern-horizon clarity, humidity, and the quirks of morning air.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I set the alarm for tomorrow's sunrise?
Look at the quality percentage. 75% or higher is a strong yes: set the alarm. 50-74% is a judgement call: if you're already an early riser, take the morning. Below 50% usually means overcast or featureless sky, so sleep in. Same-day forecasts (after midnight) sharpen the call.
What time is sunrise tomorrow?
Pick your city above for tomorrow's exact sunrise time. Alpenglow also shows blue hour and civil twilight windows so you know when to arrive. The best colors often appear before the sun clears the horizon.
How early should my alarm be set?
Aim to be in position 30-45 minutes before official sunrise time. That gives you blue hour for setup and the pre-dawn colors that often outshine sunrise itself. Add 15-20 minutes for travel and a coffee. Being rushed kills the experience.
Will Alpenglow wake me only on great mornings?
That's the idea. Alpenglow Pro can send a push notification the night before when tomorrow's forecast crosses your quality threshold (e.g., notify at 75% or higher) so you only set the alarm when it's worth it. The rest of the time, sleep in guilt-free.
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