Sunrise & Sunset Times in Missoula, MT
Today's exact sunrise, sunset, and daylight hours for Missoula, Montana. Plus solar noon, civil twilight, and golden hour times — calculated from Missoula's coordinates (46.87° N, 114.00° W).
About sunrise and sunset in Missoula
Missoula, MT sits at 46.87° N latitude in the temperate zone. The longest day of the year here lasts about 15h 42m (around the summer solstice in June), while the shortest day shrinks to 8h 18m — a year-round swing of 7h 24m. Because Missoula is in the eastern part of the Denver time zone, solar noon arrives roughly 36 minutes after clock noon.
Mid-latitude temperate — pronounced summer/winter day-length difference. The sun rises roughly east, swinging northeast in summer and southeast in winter, and sets roughly west, swinging northwest in summer and southwest in winter. Civil twilight (the period when the sun is between 0° and 6° below the horizon) lasts approximately 36 minutes around the equinoxes — a noticeable extended dawn and dusk window.
Quick facts for Missoula
Solar noon offset reflects Missoula's position in its time zone — the further from the time zone's standard meridian, the further the actual midday drifts from 12:00 on the clock.
Sunrise & Sunset in Missoula
Today's sunrise and sunset times in Missoula, MT. See exact sunrise, sunset, and daylight hours for Missoula. Updated daily.
Related
Sunrise and sunset FAQ for Missoula
How accurate are the Missoula sunrise and sunset times?
Times are calculated using NOAA-grade astronomical algorithms based on Missoula's exact coordinates (46.8721, -114.0019) and time zone (America/Denver). Accuracy is typically within 1 minute. Local horizon obstructions (mountains, tall buildings) can shift the visible sunrise/sunset by a few minutes compared to the calculated value.
How long is the longest day of the year in Missoula?
At Missoula's latitude of 46.87° N, the longest day stretches to about 15h 42m on the June solstice. The shortest day, on the December solstice, is around 8h 18m — a year-round swing of roughly 7h 24m.
When is golden hour in Missoula?
Golden hour in Missoula occurs in the ~60-minute window after sunrise and before sunset, when the sun is low (typically below 6° elevation) and light is softer and warmer. Photographers favour this window for portraits and landscapes. The exact start/end depends on the season — golden hour is shorter near the equinoxes and longer in winter when the sun travels at a shallower angle.
Do Missoula sunrise times change with daylight saving time?
Yes. All times shown here use Missoula's local clock, which switches between standard time and daylight saving time on the dates set by US federal law (second Sunday in March, first Sunday in November). The actual position of the sun does not change — only the clock face does. See our Daylight Saving Time guide for the next change date.
In which direction does the sun rise and set in Missoula?
In Missoula, the sun rises in the east, swinging northeast in summer and southeast in winter, and sets in the west, swinging northwest in summer and southwest in winter. On the equinoxes (around 20 March and 22 September), the sun rises due east and sets due west. Between those dates, the sunrise/sunset points shift along the horizon as Earth's axial tilt changes the sun's declination.
What is solar noon, and when does it happen in Missoula?
Solar noon is the moment the sun is at its highest point in the sky for the day. In Missoula, solar noon arrives roughly 36 minutes after clock noon, because Missoula sits in the eastern partof its time zone. The exact offset shifts a few minutes through the year due to Earth's elliptical orbit (the "equation of time").