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Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

What is SunWhen?

SunWhen is a free web application that predicts when the sun will be visible at your location. Unlike traditional weather apps that show general conditions, SunWhen specifically answers the question: "When will I see the sun?"

We combine weather forecast data with astronomical calculations to identify clear sky periods during daylight hours.

How do I use SunWhen?

Simply open SunWhen in your web browser. The app will:

  • Request your location (you can allow or deny this)
  • Fetch weather data for your area
  • Display when the sun will next be visible
  • Show a 48-hour forecast chart

That's it! No account needed, no app to download.

Why does SunWhen need my location?

Sun visibility depends entirely on your specific location. Cloud cover, sunrise/sunset times, and weather patterns all vary by location—sometimes significantly even within the same city.

We use your coordinates to fetch accurate local weather data. Your location is only used for this purpose and is never stored on our servers.

What if I don't want to share my location?

No problem! If you deny location access or your browser doesn't support geolocation, you can manually enter latitude and longitude coordinates.

To find coordinates for any location, you can use Google Maps: right-click on a location and the coordinates will appear.

Understanding Forecasts

How does SunWhen predict sun visibility?

SunWhen analyzes hourly weather forecasts from Open-Meteo, focusing on cloud cover data. For each hour, we check:

  • Is it during daylight hours? (between sunrise and sunset)
  • Is cloud cover below your threshold setting?

Hours that meet both criteria are marked as "clear" and grouped into clear periods.

How accurate are the predictions?

Accuracy depends on how far ahead you're looking:

  • Next 6 hours: Very reliable (85-95% accurate)
  • 6-24 hours: Good reliability (75-85% accurate)
  • 1-3 days: Moderate reliability (65-75% accurate)
  • 3-7 days: General guidance only (50-65% accurate)

Weather is inherently unpredictable, so we recommend checking back regularly for updated forecasts.

What does the cloud cover threshold setting do?

The cloud cover threshold lets you customize what "clear" means to you. It's a percentage from 10% to 90%.

  • Lower threshold (e.g., 30%): You want very clear skies with minimal clouds
  • Higher threshold (e.g., 70%): You're okay with partly cloudy conditions

The default is 50%, which works well for most people. Adjust it based on your activity—photographers might want lower thresholds, while someone just wanting to go for a walk might be fine with higher values.

What do the colors in the 48-hour chart mean?

The chart shows cloud cover for each hour:

  • Yellow/gold bars: Clear conditions during daylight (cloud cover below your threshold)
  • Light gray bars: Cloudy daytime hours (above your threshold)
  • Dark gray bars: Nighttime hours (sun not visible regardless of clouds)

The height of each bar represents the cloud cover percentage. The dashed line shows your current threshold setting.

What does "Clear for X hours" mean?

This shows the expected duration of the clear period. It's calculated by counting consecutive hours where cloud cover is predicted to stay below your threshold during daylight.

Longer clear periods are generally more reliable predictions than short ones.

Technical Questions

Where does the weather data come from?

We use the Open-Meteo API, which aggregates data from national weather services worldwide including:

  • NOAA (United States)
  • DWD (Germany)
  • Météo-France
  • And many other national services

Open-Meteo provides high-quality, open-source weather data that's updated hourly.

Does SunWhen work worldwide?

Yes! SunWhen works for any location on Earth. Weather data is available globally through the Open-Meteo API, and sunrise/sunset calculations work for all coordinates.

However, forecast accuracy may vary by region depending on the density of weather stations and quality of local meteorological data.

Does SunWhen work offline?

No, SunWhen requires an internet connection to fetch current weather data. Weather forecasts change frequently, so we always retrieve the latest data when you open the app.

Is there a mobile app?

SunWhen is a web application that works in any modern browser, including mobile browsers. You can add it to your home screen for quick access:

  • iPhone: Tap Share → Add to Home Screen
  • Android: Tap Menu → Add to Home Screen

This gives you app-like access without needing to download anything.

Privacy & Data

Is my location data stored?

No. Your location is only used in real-time to fetch weather data. We don't store your coordinates on our servers, and we don't track your location history.

Your threshold preference is saved locally in your browser (localStorage) for convenience.

Does SunWhen use cookies?

We use minimal cookies for:

  • Analytics (Google Analytics) to understand how people use the site
  • Advertising (to support the free service)

We don't use cookies to track your personal information or location.

General

Is SunWhen free?

Yes, SunWhen is completely free to use. We use the Open-Meteo API which provides free weather data, and the site is supported by advertising.

There are no premium features, subscriptions, or hidden costs.

Who created SunWhen?

SunWhen was created by weather enthusiasts who wanted a simple answer to a simple question: "When will the sun come out?"

Learn more on our About page.

How can I provide feedback or report issues?

We'd love to hear from you! Whether you have suggestions, found a bug, or just want to say hello, you can reach us at:

Email: hello@sunwhen.com

Can I use SunWhen for commercial purposes?

SunWhen is intended for personal use. If you're interested in commercial applications or API access, please contact us to discuss options.