GoldCast · Catalina Island, CA

Sunset Tonight in Catalina Island


Reading tonight's sky
Sunset
Golden hour
Sky coverage
Atmosphere
Horizon clarity

GoldCast sunset forecast — LightCast Suite
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iOS App LightCast Suite
🌅 GoldCast — golden hour score & cloud forecast
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🌫️ FogCast — fog & mist forecasting
☁️ CloudCast — cloud cover & dramatic sky timing
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The app is more than the score. Get a full 7-day golden hour outlook, cloud layer timing, and a map of better light nearby. Set notification preferences so you can plan shoots days out, not just check tonight.

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Frequently asked
Will the sunset be good tonight in Catalina Island?
The live score above pulls today's forecast and runs it through GoldCast's scoring model. Above 70 is worth going out. Below 40, stay home. The score updates daily.
What makes a good sunset in Catalina Island?
Catalina Island sits 22 miles off the Southern California coast, surrounded by open Pacific on three sides. The western and northwestern shores face directly into the sunset with an unobstructed ocean horizon. The ridgeline above Avalon provides elevated views across the channel toward the mainland, and the combination of ocean reflection and marine atmosphere tends to intensify coastal color. Marine layer plays a significant role — a thin layer breaks up into dramatic fire clouds, while a thick layer kills the light entirely.
What time is sunset in Catalina Island tonight?
Catalina Island sunset ranges from around 4:45 PM in December to 8:05 PM in June. Tonight's exact time is shown in the score card above, updated daily from live weather data.


What makes a good sunset?

GoldCast scores six atmospheric variables weighted by how much each one actually affects the light. A clear sky isn't always best.

High Cloud
20–80%
Cirrus clouds scatter warm light across the sky. Too little means a bare sky. Too much blocks everything.
Humidity
Under 50%
Low humidity keeps colors vivid and punchy. Above 80% produces milky, washed-out tones.
Horizon Cloud
Clear
Low cloud at the horizon blocks the sun at peak warmth. A small gap makes all the difference.
Post-Storm
Best skies
Rain clears the air and leaves textured cloud at altitude. Often the most dramatic light of the year.

Score guide
75–100
Epic
Rare. Multiple factors aligned. Don't miss it.
55–74
Great
Strong showing expected. Go if you can.
35–54
Decent
Modest but workable. Worth a short trip.
0–34
Flat
Uninspiring sky expected. Save your time.

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