What causes the magical twilight sky?

Weather explained
What causes the magical twilight sky?

The summer months are the ideal time to spend the evening hours outside watching the sky overhead darken.

Twilight refers to the time between dawn and the sunrise or sunset. At this time the sun rests just below the horizon with its light scattering in the upper atmosphere.

Check out our Weather Explained video to learn more about this magical time of the day.

Ryan Hathaway

More on the topic

Europe weather map showing widespread sunshine across Spain, France, Italy, and central Europe, with temperatures in the teens and low 20s, and a band of rain over Ireland and the eastern Atlantic moving toward the UK.

Thursday, 26 February 2026

Low vs high pressure

Gloom returns as Europe still basks

Map of Europe showing maximum temperatures on Sunday in colour. Warm orange tones over Spain and France, blue areas with frost in Eastern Europe.

Thursday, 19 February 2026

Across much of Europe

Spring air dispels winter cold

Split image showing a pastel countryside sunset with pink and orange sky over rolling hills on the left, and a vivid red ocean sunset with dark waves and glowing clouds on the right, divided by a curved white line.

Sunday, 22 February 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Sky views from the final week of winter

All weather news

This might also interest you

UK temperature map dated 14.02 showing widespread subzero values in blue shading, with readings such as −4 in Glasgow, −3 in Dublin, and −2 in London, alongside a blue thermometer icon.

Friday, 13 February 2026

Icy conditions

A frozen start to the weekend

plit image showing a double rainbow over a rocky shoreline on the left and sheep grazing in a green field under stormy clouds on the right.

Sunday, 2 November 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mixed conditions on an unsettled week

Split weather map showing UK wind speeds in orange-red shades up to 40 mph on the left and warning levels in green-yellow on the right, with a central wind warning sign.

Wednesday, 22 October 2025

Warnings active

Storm Benjamin impacts the UK

All articles

What causes the magical twilight sky?

Weather explainedWhat causes the magical twilight sky?

Weather explained
What causes the magical twilight sky?