There’s no reliable way to guarantee a spectacular sunset, but a few signs can improve your odds.

Look for clouds overhead or high in the sky, with a gap near the western horizon. As the sun drops below the cloud layer, it can light up the underside of the clouds and color a large part of the sky. Clearly defined high clouds can also produce rays and stronger texture.

Just as important: don’t leave as soon as the sun touches the horizon. Some of the best light often happens after the sun has set.

That said, sunset photography is hard to predict. Conditions can change quickly, and even a stormy or dull-looking sky can suddenly open up into an excellent scene. In practice, if you’ve planned to shoot, it’s often best to go anyway and treat uncertain evenings as practice.

Location also matters a lot. Water, open views, hills, and other elevated spots often make sunset light more dramatic. Including foreground interest can also make the final image stronger.