in 15h 10m
Vivid warm canvas
Exactly at sunset: Exceptional
Best-light moment: Exceptional,
Photo locations · Hawke’s Bay · New Zealand
Te Mata Peak Summit: sunset photography forecast
Te Mata Peak opens across the Heretaunga Plains toward Hawke’s Bay, with ridges and farmland making natural layers in low light. Both sunrise and sunset work; the wind usually decides which side of the summit is comfortable.
Will today's sunset be worth it?
Simplified forecast from the open model run. The full forecast — a second model, your exact viewpoint, the hourly cloud timeline — is in the app.
Global model, about 13 km: less certain than in Europe.
Recommended arrival
Sky colors
Golden hour
Sunset
Afterglow
Light corridor: open
Why: The sun's path is clear at the height its low light travels, so the light can reach the clouds at sunset.
- Light path: clear (29% blocking cloud at the ray's height)
- Sun: may be hidden. Some low cloud toward the horizon (49%) may hide the sun on and off.
Terrain is drawn for illustration only — it is not used to calculate underlight or obstruction.
cloud-cover fieldinterpolation uncertaintysun directionnear-ground humiditycloud at unresolved heightmodelled underlightunderlight · height uncertainunderlight · lit on one readinglit but hidden behind nearer cloud
Forecast refreshed a few hours before sunset.
Will tomorrow's sunset be worth it?
Simplified forecast from the open model run. The full forecast — a second model, your exact viewpoint, the hourly cloud timeline — is in the app.
Global model, about 13 km: less certain than in Europe.
Sky colors
Golden hour
Sunset
Light corridor: open
Why: The sun's path is clear at the height its low light travels, so the light can reach the clouds at sunset.
- Light path: clear (23% blocking cloud at the ray's height)
- Sun: likely hidden. Thick low cloud toward the horizon (70%) will likely block the sun.
Terrain is drawn for illustration only — it is not used to calculate underlight or obstruction.
cloud-cover fieldinterpolation uncertaintysun directionnear-ground humiditycloud at unresolved heightmodelled underlightunderlight · height uncertainunderlight · lit on one readinglit but hidden behind nearer cloud
Forecast refreshed a few hours before sunset.
Will Friday's sunset be worth it?
Simplified forecast from the open model run. The full forecast — a second model, your exact viewpoint, the hourly cloud timeline — is in the app.
Global model, about 13 km: less certain than in Europe.
Outlook only · 63 h ahead
Sky colors
Golden hour
Sunset
Light corridor: partly open
Why: Some cloud sits along the sun's path, so light may get through only in places.
- Light path: partly blocked (31% blocking cloud at the ray's height)
- Sun: likely hidden. Low cloud fills the horizon (83%); the sun will probably stay behind it.
Terrain is drawn for illustration only — it is not used to calculate underlight or obstruction.
cloud-cover fieldinterpolation uncertaintysun directionnear-ground humiditycloud at unresolved heightmodelled underlightunderlight · height uncertainunderlight · lit on one readinglit but hidden behind nearer cloud
Forecast refreshed a few hours before sunset.
Know the light
before it happens
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For photographers: shooting Te Mata Peak Summit
Best months
March to May for warm autumn colour and calmer light; September to November for green hills. Summer can be dry and hazy.
Suggested focal lengths
16–35 mm for ridge foregrounds; 70–200 mm for folded hills, farms and distant coast.
Composition
Step away from the summit marker and use the walking ridges as lead-ins. Longer lenses are excellent when bands of light move over the plains.
Recommended arrival
Arrive 45–60 minutes before sunrise or sunset and scout a position sheltered from the prevailing wind.
Access planning
Summit-road access can close for weather, events or maintenance. Check the park notice and keep clear of mountain-bike trails.
Parking: Small summit and lower-park car parks; use the lower option if the summit road is closed.
Approach: Immediate from the summit car park, or a longer signed walk from lower entrances.