Sunset Time in Leeds Today
Leeds, UK
Forecast updated:
Cloud on the horizon does not move the astronomical sunset time — it can hide the sun a few minutes early, but it often produces the most dramatic colors.
Conditions can shift — arrive 30 minutes early for the best experience.
Pair with golden hour or moon visibility for complete planning.
Forecast accuracy is highest within the next 1–3 days.
Sunset & Daylight Patterns Specific to Leeds
Leeds sits at 53.8° N in the temperate zone. It is autumn there now, and the sun currently spends 11.3 hours above the horizon each day.
Sunsets are latest in June around the summer solstice and earliest in December. Near the solstices, the sunset time barely shifts day to day; near the equinoxes (March, September), it moves up to 2 minutes per day. Leeds runs from 7.4 to 17.1 hours of daylight across the year, a 9.7-hour swing. Today's 11.3 hours set how much room you have to move plans around.
Golden hour in Leeds lasts about 69 minutes today, with civil twilight adding a further 35 minutes of usable blue-hour light after sunset.
The most photogenic sunset conditions in Leeds come in May, July, June, when the atmosphere is clearest and high-pressure systems push cloud layers away from the western horizon. Leeds receives about 660mm of rain per year — less than London, Bristol, or Birmingham — because the Pennines wring most of the Atlantic moisture out of westerly weather systems before they reach the city.
Civil twilight at Leeds's latitude lasts approximately 35 minutes after the sun drops below the horizon — this is the "blue hour" window of soft, diffused light that photographers prize above all others. At 53.8°, this window offers a comfortable photography window without the frantic pace of equatorial twilight.
City-specific facts for Leeds
- •Latitude: 53.8° N — longest days in June, shortest in December
- •Summer daylight: ~17.1h | Winter daylight: ~7.4h — a 9.7-hour annual swing
- •Civil twilight (blue hour) duration: ~35 minutes post-sunset
- •Prime sunset colour months: May, July, June
- •Hemisphere: northern — sunset moves northward in summer, altering composition angles significantly
- •Local season right now: autumn (northern hemisphere)
- •Daylight today: 11.3 h — annual range 7.4–17.1 h
- •Solar regime today: normal sunrise/sunset cycle
Sun & Moon Times in Leeds
Sunset timing in Leeds is driven by latitude and season. We apply atmospheric refraction corrections for accuracy within one minute. Golden hour begins roughly 60 minutes before sunset — the most valuable window for photography, outdoor dining, and evening walks.
Sunset in Leeds shifts by several minutes each week. Summer evenings are longest, winter sunsets arrive earliest. Cloud cover near the horizon does not change the sunset time itself, though it can hide the sun a few minutes early and often produces the most dramatic color displays.
For the best sunset experience, arrive at your viewing spot 30 minutes before the listed time. Conditions can shift — check again on the day itself.
Sunrise & Sunset Guide for Leeds in October
Leeds sits in the Aire Valley with the Yorkshire Pennines to the west, which catch most of the Atlantic rain before it reaches the city. The result: less rainfall than Manchester, but persistent grey skies in winter. Summer days can be warm and pleasant but rarely hot. Snow is occasional but rarely lasts more than a few days.
October brings shorter days and earlier sunsets to Leeds, with temperatures around 1-7°C. While the days are shorter, they can produce some of the most dramatic sunset displays of the year. Cloud cover, common during this period, creates dynamic skies that scatter sunlight into vivid purples, pinks, and deep oranges that clear-sky months rarely match.
☀️ Daylight & Day Length
Shorter days in October mean you need to plan outdoor activities more carefully around available daylight. Sunrise comes later and sunset arrives earlier, concentrating your outdoor window. However, the lower sun angle means golden hour light lasts longer relative to the day length, and shadows are more dramatic — a hidden advantage for photographers and anyone who appreciates beautiful light.
📋 Planning Around Sunset
With limited daylight during October, start outdoor activities early to maximize your time. Plan indoor alternatives (museums, cafés, galleries) for afternoons when light fades. Evening events will happen after dark — bring warm layers and embrace Leeds's atmospheric nighttime charm. Sunset-watching is still rewarding, but dress warmly and check the cloud forecast.
Photography at Sunrise & Sunset
Overcast skies in Leeds during October create soft, even lighting all day — perfect for portraits and street photography without harsh shadows. For sunset shots, watch for breaks in the western sky; when the sun drops below the cloud layer, it illuminates clouds from beneath, creating vivid, unpredictable colors. Wet streets and reflections add a unique dimension to evening shots.
Seasonal Sun Patterns in Leeds
☀️ Longest Days
May, July, June — these months bring the latest sunsets and longest daylight hours in Leeds. Expect extended evenings perfect for outdoor dining, sunset walks, and golden hour photography. The warmest temperatures (15-21°C) coincide with the longest days.
🌙 Shortest Days
October, November, December — earlier sunsets and shorter daylight hours define this period in Leeds. Temperatures drop to around 1-7°C. Plan outdoor activities around midday when the sun is highest. The dramatic low-angle light creates stunning photography opportunities despite the shorter window.
📍 Local Weather Insight
Leeds receives about 660mm of rain per year — less than London, Bristol, or Birmingham — because the Pennines wring most of the Atlantic moisture out of westerly weather systems before they reach the city.
Local Tips for Leeds
Pennines just west create a rain shadow — Leeds is drier than its reputation
Yorkshire Dales 30 minutes north get 5-8°C colder and twice the rainfall
June solstice gives 17 hours of daylight — the longest in any major English city
More Weather Tools for Leeds
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Photography forecast and sun angles
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UV Index in Leeds
Sun protection and UV forecast
Weekend Weather Leeds
Saturday & Sunday outlook
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Climate guide by month
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Plan your perfect outdoor wedding
When Sunset Viewing Is Not Worth It in Leeds
- •Fully overcast skies — thick cloud cover blocks the sun entirely, producing a flat grey horizon with no color variation.
- •Heavy rain or thunderstorms — unsafe conditions and zero visibility of the sun. Check the rain forecast for Leeds.
- •Dense smog or haze — obscures the horizon line and reduces color saturation, making sunset appear washed out.
- •West-blocked viewpoints — buildings, mountains, or trees blocking the western horizon will cut off sunset 10–30 minutes early.
What Determines Sunset Time?
Sunset time in Leeds is determined by the city's latitude, longitude, and the time of year. During summer, the Earth's axial tilt causes the sun to take a longer path across the sky, resulting in later sunsets. In winter, the opposite occurs — shorter days mean earlier sunsets. Near the equinoxes (March and September), sunset times change most rapidly, shifting by 2–3 minutes per day. At Leeds's latitude, the difference between the earliest and latest sunset can be several hours across the year. Our daily calculations use precise astronomical data to give you the exact sunset time accurate to the minute.
Did you know? Sunset in Leeds shifts by up to 3 minutes per day near the equinoxes — timing matters more than you think.
Planning to watch the sunset in Leeds?
Local Astronomy Profile · Leeds
High temperate latitude (53.8°) — 9.7 h day-length swing dominates the calendar.
- Longest day
- 16 h 51 min
- Shortest day
- 7 h 09 min
- Sunset shifts by
- 1.6 min/day on average
- Civil twilight extends
- roughly 25–35 min after sunset
Latest possible sunset of the year (June solstice).
Earliest possible sunset of the year (December solstice).
Average daily sunset drift between the two solstices — peaks near the equinoxes.
Civil twilight is the usable shooting window after the sun is gone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is sunset in Leeds today?
Today's sunset time for Leeds is shown above and updates daily. Sunset times shift throughout the year based on Leeds's latitude and the Earth's axial tilt. Summer sunsets are later, winter sunsets are earlier.
When is golden hour in Leeds?
Golden hour in Leeds begins approximately 1 hour before sunset and ends at sunset. The exact timing is displayed above. Morning golden hour starts at sunrise and lasts about 1 hour.
How long is the day in Leeds?
Day length in Leeds varies by season. Today's exact day length is shown above. At mid-latitudes, this ranges from about 8 hours in winter to 16+ hours in summer.
Is the moon visible tonight in Leeds?
Moon visibility depends on the current phase and cloud cover. Tonight's moon phase and illumination percentage for Leeds are shown above. A higher illumination percentage means a brighter, more visible moon.
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