in 5h 39m
Warm horizon below grey cloud
Exactly at sunrise: Good
Photo locations · Cape Town · South Africa
Table Mountain Upper Cableway View: sunrise photography forecast
The upper cableway area looks across Cape Town, Lion’s Head, the Atlantic and the Cape Peninsula, with several compositions within a short walk. Cloud spilling over the plateau can be spectacular, but it can also close the cableway.
Will today's sunrise 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
Sunrise
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 sunrise.
- Light path: clear (5% blocking cloud at the ray's height)
- Sun: clearly visible. The sun's path to the horizon reads open; the disc should be visible.
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 sunrise.
Will tomorrow's sunrise 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
Sunrise
Light corridor: blocked
Why: Thick cloud along the sun's path is likely to stop the low light.
- Light path: blocked (59% blocking cloud at the ray's height)
- Sun: likely hidden. Low cloud fills the horizon (90%); 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 sunrise.
Will Wednesday's sunrise 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 · 54 h ahead
Sky colors
Golden hour
Sunrise
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 sunrise.
- Light path: clear (22% blocking cloud at the ray's height)
- Sun: likely hidden. Low cloud fills the horizon (100%); 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 sunrise.
Know the light
before it happens
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For photographers: shooting Table Mountain Upper Cableway View
Best months
October to April for longer evenings and more stable access; winter can bring very clear air between fronts but frequent closures.
Suggested focal lengths
16–35 mm for plateau and city; 70–200 mm for Lion’s Head, coastline and layered mountains.
Composition
Move away from the main station railings and use sandstone or fynbos as foreground. Keep a long lens ready for side light on Lion’s Head.
Recommended arrival
Take a cable car that reaches the top at least 75 minutes before sunset and confirm the final descent.
Access planning
Cableway operation is wind- and weather-dependent. Carry warm layers, follow plateau paths and never assume a closed cableway will reopen for your descent.
Parking: Limited roadside parking along Tafelberg Road; official park-and-ride or shuttle arrangements are preferable when operating.
Approach: A short paved walk from the upper station; longer plateau paths reach quieter viewpoints.