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Photo locations · Zermatt · Switzerland

Riffelsee Matterhorn Reflection: sunset photography forecast

Riffelsee is one of the simplest Matterhorn compositions and one of the hardest to get perfectly: the mountain is obvious, but the reflection needs calm water and a clear summit at the same time. Dawn gives you the best chance of both.

Sunrise tomorrowSunrise TuesdaySunrise Wednesday

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.

in 20h 13m

Blocked grey lid

Little usable low-sun light expected

Sky colors

Golden hour
Sunset

Light corridor: blocked

Why: Thick cloud along the sun's path is likely to stop the low light.

  • Light path: blocked (63% blocking cloud at the ray's height)
  • Sun: clearly visible. You're above the low cloud (2770 m); the sun clears the deck below you.
Viewer's line of sight, tangent to the Earth at your locationNear-ground relative humidity9% cover — too thin to draw as cloud13% cover — too thin to draw as cloud8% cover — too thin to draw as cloud14% cover — too thin to draw as cloud6% cover — too thin to draw as cloudConnected cloud layer · 0–100% cover · 65–100% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 100–100% cover · 10–10% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 23–23% cover · 10–10% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 100–100% cover · 100–100% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 0–100% cover · 45–100% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 33–63% cover · 10–25% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 100–100% cover · 10–10% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 100–100% cover · 100–100% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 0–100% cover · 45–65% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 50–100% cover · 10–10% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 0–94% cover · 45–45% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 54–63% cover · 10–10% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 100–100% cover · 10–10% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 100–100% cover · 100–100% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 35–100% cover · 45–45% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 71–100% cover · 10–10% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 76–94% cover · 10–10% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 100–100% cover · 10–10% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 100–100% cover · 100–100% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 35–100% cover · 45–45% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 100–100% cover · 10–10% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 94–94% cover · 10–10% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 100–100% cover · 10–10% visual uncertaintylow cloud · 64% reported, 0% resolved on a pressure surface — 64% is somewhere between 2.67 and 3 kmlow cloud · 64% reported, 0% resolved on a pressure surface — 64% is somewhere between 2.77 and 3 kmlow cloud · 84% reported, 0% resolved on a pressure surface — 84% is somewhere between 2.15 and 3 kmmid cloud · 64% reported, 49% resolved on a pressure surface — 16% is somewhere between 3 and 8 kmlow cloud · 80% reported, 0% resolved on a pressure surface — 80% is somewhere between 2.08 and 3 kmmid cloud · 83% reported, 52% resolved on a pressure surface — 31% is somewhere between 3 and 8 kmlow cloud · 74% reported, 0% resolved on a pressure surface — 74% is somewhere between 2.07 and 3 km-5 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch orange light · lit on one reading: the strongest cloud toward the sun was set aside, and counting it would have darkened this deck-5 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch red light0 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch orange light · lit on one reading: the strongest cloud toward the sun was set aside, and counting it would have darkened this deck0 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch red light5 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch red light20 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch red light20 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch red light50 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch red light100 km · the model says the lowest depicted cloud underside may catch red light

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.

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For photographers: shooting Riffelsee Matterhorn Reflection

Best months

Early July to late October for a normally ice-free lake. Late September and October can bring crisp air and fresh snow on the Matterhorn, but always check the first and last Gornergrat trains.

Suggested focal lengths

16–35 mm for shoreline, lake and reflection; 50–100 mm for the Matterhorn and smaller reflection details.

Composition

The main lake is not the only option. Walk around the shore and check the smaller pools below it; a low position hides empty sky and gives more weight to the reflection.

Recommended arrival

Be at the lake 45–60 minutes before sunrise. If the first train is too late, plan an overnight stay or a legal pre-dawn hike—do not assume the railway runs for first light.

Access planning

Zermatt is car-free. Take the Gornergrat railway to Rotenboden, then follow the signed path; at 2,757 m, weather and temperature can change quickly.

Parking: Park in Täsch and continue to Zermatt by train or approved taxi.

Approach: Roughly 10 minutes downhill from Rotenboden station; allow 15–20 minutes back uphill with equipment.

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