How much daylight have we gained since the solstice?

How much daylight do we gain each day after the winter solstice?

Only a few seconds at first. In New York the gain is about 37 seconds a day by December 31, 1.5 minutes by mid-January and 2 minutes 40 seconds at the March equinox, when it peaks. Places further north gain faster: London adds about 4 minutes a day in March.

When do the days start getting longer?

The day after the December solstice in the northern hemisphere. In 2026 the solstice is December 21 at 3:50 pm New York time (20:50 GMT), so December 22 is the first longer day. In Australia and New Zealand days start getting longer after the June solstice, June 21 or 22, 2027.

Why is the earliest sunset before the shortest day?

Because the sun's midday point drifts about 30 seconds later each day in December. Near the solstice the day length barely changes, so that drift wins: sunsets start getting later in early December, while sunrises keep getting later until early January.

How much daylight have we gained by the end of January?

It depends on how far north you are. By January 31 New York has gained about 50 minutes since the solstice, Minneapolis about an hour, London 1 hour 17 minutes and Anchorage more than 2 hours. Pick your city above for the exact figure.

Is the winter solstice the shortest day everywhere?

No. The December solstice is the shortest day north of the equator and the longest day south of it. Near the equator day length stays close to 12 hours all year, and inside the Arctic Circle the sun may not rise at all around the solstice.

How is the length of daylight measured?

From sunrise to sunset, when the top edge of the sun meets a flat horizon, with the standard allowance for the atmosphere bending light. Twilight is not counted. These are the same rules the U.S. Naval Observatory and NOAA use, and the times here match their tables to the minute.

Does daylight saving time give us more daylight?

No. It moves the clock, so sunrise and sunset both happen an hour later by the clock, but the length of the day stays the same. That is why the latest clock sunrise in the US can fall in late October or March instead of January.