Sunrise and Sunset in Des Moines Today
In Des Moines, United States, the sun rises today on Thursday, November 5, 2026 at 06:51 and sets at 17:04. The day length is 10h 13m. Solar noon is reached at 11:58.
Des Moines: sun and clock
Today the sun is highest in Des Moines at 11:58 – almost exactly at 12:00.
The earliest sunrise of the year is on June 14 at 05:39, the latest on October 31 at 07:45.
The sun sets earliest on December 8 at 16:44 and latest on June 26 at 20:52.
The longest day of the year has 6 h 2 min more daylight than the shortest.
Des Moines through the year
Sunrise, sunset and day length on the 15th of every month – and the direction in which the sun sets.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day | Direction | Sunshine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 07:38 | 17:09 | 9 h 31 min | west-southwest 242° | 158 h |
| Feb | 07:09 | 17:48 | 10 h 39 min | west-southwest 254° | 163 h |
| Mar | 07:26 | 19:21 | 11 h 55 min | west 268° | 206 h |
| Apr | 06:34 | 19:55 | 13 h 21 min | west-northwest 284° | 222 h |
| May | 05:55 | 20:27 | 14 h 32 min | west-northwest 297° | 276 h |
| Jun | 05:39 | 20:50 | 15 h 11 min | west-northwest 303° | 312 h |
| Jul | 05:53 | 20:47 | 14 h 53 min | west-northwest 300° | 338 h |
| Aug | 06:23 | 20:13 | 13 h 51 min | west-northwest 289° | 298 h |
| Sep | 06:54 | 19:23 | 12 h 29 min | west 274° | 240 h |
| Oct | 07:26 | 18:33 | 11 h 6 min | west 259° | 210 h |
| Nov | 07:03 | 16:54 | 9 h 51 min | west-southwest 245° | 139 h |
| Dec | 07:34 | 16:45 | 9 h 11 min | west-southwest 239° | 129 h |
Direction of sunset: west-northwest (303°) in June, west-southwest (239°) in December.
Over the year the point where the sun sets moves 64° along the horizon.
Sunniest month: July with 338 hours of sunshine, dullest: December with 129 – 2,691 hours a year.
Times for the 15th of each month, computed with the NOAA method. Sunshine: station Des Moines/Municipal, IA, mean 1961–1990 (NOAA).
Golden Hour in Des Moines
Morning: 06:33–07:31 · Evening: 16:24–17:22
The Golden Hour, also known as 'Magic Hour', is the most popular time for photographers and filmmakers. In Des Moines, the morning golden hour takes place today from 06:33 to 07:31. The evening golden hour extends from 16:24 to 17:22. During these times, warm, soft sunlight bathes the city in magical light.
Blue Hour in Des Moines
Morning: 06:22–06:33 · Evening: 17:22–17:33
The Blue Hour in Des Moines offers a unique, bluish-colored light in the sky. The morning blue hour takes place today from 06:22 to 06:33, just before sunrise. The evening blue hour extends from 17:22 to 17:33, right after sunset. This time is ideal for atmospheric cityscapes and landscape photography.
About Des Moines
Des Moines is located at a latitude of 41.59° and a longitude of -93.63°. The city is in the America/Chicago timezone. Depending on the season, sunrise and sunset times in Des Moines vary considerably – from short winter days to long summer days with twilight lasting late into the evening.
Seasons & Daylight in Des Moines
In spring, days grow noticeably longer in Des Moines. Sunrise moves earlier and sunset later, providing 12h 9m of daylight around the equinox. The golden and blue hours become particularly beautiful as the sun takes a lower arc across the sky.
Summer brings the longest days to Des Moines, with up to 15h 12m of daylight around the solstice. The sun rises early and sets late, and twilight can linger well into the night at higher latitudes. Perfect for evening photography sessions.
Autumn in Des Moines sees rapidly shortening days. The quality of light becomes warmer and more golden as the sun sits lower in the sky. With 12h 9m of daylight around the equinox, the golden hour stretches into a more extended period.
Winter in Des Moines brings the shortest days with only 9h 10m of daylight near the solstice. However, the low sun angle creates dramatic long shadows and a warm, golden light throughout much of the day – a photographer's dream for moody atmospheric shots.
Cities near Des Moines
On the same latitude as Des Moines
These cities lie on almost the same latitude as Des Moines (41.6° N): on every day of the year they get almost exactly as much daylight – 10h 13m today – only at other clock times and in a very different climate.
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Questions about the sun in Des Moines
When does the sun rise in Des Moines today?
Today the sun rises in Des Moines at 06:51 and sets at 17:04.
How long is the day in Des Moines today?
The day lasts 10h 13m today, from sunrise to sunset.
When is the golden hour in Des Moines today?
In the morning from 06:33–07:31, in the evening from 16:24–17:22.
When is the longest day in Des Moines?
The day is longest around the summer solstice with 15h 12m of daylight, shortest around the winter solstice with 9h 10m.
When does it get dark in Des Moines today?
It is dark from 17:33, fully dark from 18:38.
Times are calculated using NOAA algorithms based on the geographic coordinates of Des Moines. All times are in local time. How it is calculated