WEST SEATTLE SKY: Sunset milestone for those lamenting the loss of light

(Constellation Park photo by Victoria Gnatoka)

Even before the mentioned-earlier Wind Advisory kicks in, it’s still blustery enough for wave action against Beach Drive seawalls. But the big news was what happened once the sun slipped behind the cloudbank to the west – tonight’s official sunset time, 4:17 pm, is the earliest it will get; that’ll remain the sunset time through next Saturday (December 13), and then next Sunday, it’ll be 4:18 pm. Even as the sunset starts getting later, the sunrise will too, hitting its latest point -7:57 am – on December 27, and staying there through January 5 (by which time the sunset will be at 4:33 pm).

Rhonda December 7, 2025 (6:45 pm)

FUN FACT: The sun will only be 19° above the horizon at solar noon until January 2nd.

West Seattle Mad Sci Guy December 7, 2025 (8:10 pm)

I am happy to celebrate any milestone that recognizes the nearing of the end of the big dark!

drahcir61 December 7, 2025 (8:50 pm)

FUN FACT DEUCE: I’m the idiot on my roof trying to catch every last glimpse of sunlight I can (which is about 15 minutes this time of year … I live in the woods). But summer … oh yeah, baby … oh yeah. :-)

Marcus December 8, 2025 (5:05 am)

I like the dark skies in winter. There is something about the low sun in the sky, the later sunrise and early sunset. The is just the seasonal change in the northern country. Embrace the earth’s 94 million mile journey around the sun.

Lisab December 8, 2025 (9:19 am)

I love it too!!!
Rhonda December 8, 2025 (1:26 pm)

Amen!
Rebecca D. December 8, 2025 (6:33 pm)

I love the big dark!! Winter is my favorite!
BlairJ December 8, 2025 (7:59 pm)

Double that, then multiply by pi and you will be close.

anonyme December 8, 2025 (2:22 pm)

I’m with you, Marcus. Celebrate what is.

Dawson December 8, 2025 (5:35 pm)

I “love” the confusion and “lost” time this time of year when you’ve finished the work day, done something afterwards and then your body clock says, “oh it’s 8pm.” Nope, try 5:15.

Scarlett December 9, 2025 (7:04 am)

I’m going to side with those who dread the Big Dark though periodic pilgrimages to Cali keep me moderately sane. By the way, the earth’s orbit around the sun is 2(pi)R = avg 540 million miles where R = 93million.

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