Dawn and first light in Washington
First light (civil dawn) in Washington today is at 05:36, about 30 minutes before the sun rises at 06:06. The very first glow, astronomical dawn, begins at 04:19. Times for Tuesday, 28 July 2026, in Washington's local time zone.
| Stage | What it means | Local time |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical dawn | sun 18° below, first trace of light | 04:19 |
| Nautical dawn | sun 12° below, horizon visible at sea | 04:59 |
| Civil dawn (first light) | sun 6° below, enough light to see | 05:36 |
| Sunrise | the sun clears the horizon | 06:06 |
Dawn in Washington, stage by stage
Dawn in Washington 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 Washington's coordinates and shown in its local time zone.
Frequently asked questions about dawn in Washington
What time is first light in Washington today?
First light (civil dawn) in Washington is at 05:36 on Tuesday, 28 July 2026, about 30 minutes before sunrise at 06:06. All times are in Washington's local time zone.
What is the difference between dawn and sunrise in Washington?
Dawn is the growing twilight before the sun appears; sunrise is the single instant the sun's edge clears the horizon in Washington. First light (civil dawn) comes first, then sunrise.
When does astronomical dawn start in Washington?
Astronomical dawn, the first faint light with the sun 18 degrees below the horizon, begins at 04:19 in Washington on Tuesday, 28 July 2026.
Every time on this page is computed from Washington's coordinates with SunCalc, not estimated or looked up from a table.