Dawn and first light in Leeds
First light (civil dawn) in Leeds today is at 04:30, about 45 minutes before the sun rises at 05:15. The very first glow, astronomical dawn, begins at --:--. Times for Wednesday, 29 July 2026, in Leeds's local time zone.
| Stage | What it means | Local time |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical dawn | sun 18° below, first trace of light | --:-- |
| Nautical dawn | sun 12° below, horizon visible at sea | 03:25 |
| Civil dawn (first light) | sun 6° below, enough light to see | 04:30 |
| Sunrise | the sun clears the horizon | 05:15 |
Dawn in Leeds, stage by stage
Dawn in Leeds unfolds in three stages before the sun appears. Astronomical dawn is the first faint light, when the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon. Nautical dawn follows at 12 degrees, and civil dawn, the moment there is enough light to see and move around, arrives at 6 degrees below. This civil dawn is what most people call first light. From there the sky brightens quickly to sunrise. The whole sequence is longer at high latitudes, where the sun climbs toward the horizon at a shallow angle, and short and fast near the equator. Every time here is computed for Leeds's coordinates and shown in its local time zone.
Frequently asked questions about dawn in Leeds
What time is first light in Leeds today?
First light (civil dawn) in Leeds is at 04:30 on Wednesday, 29 July 2026, about 45 minutes before sunrise at 05:15. All times are in Leeds's local time zone.
What is the difference between dawn and sunrise in Leeds?
Dawn is the growing twilight before the sun appears; sunrise is the single instant the sun's edge clears the horizon in Leeds. First light (civil dawn) comes first, then sunrise.
When does astronomical dawn start in Leeds?
On Wednesday, 29 July 2026, Leeds has no astronomical dawn: the sun never drops 18 degrees below the horizon, so some twilight lasts all night.
Every time on this page is computed from Leeds's coordinates with SunCalc, not estimated or looked up from a table.