Why the Shortest Day of the Year Isn't the Earliest Sunset (Winter Solstice Explained)
The shortest day of the year happens around December 21 in the Northern Hemisphere—this is the winter solstice, when we get the least daylight. But here's something surprising: the earliest sunset doesn't happen on that day. It happens about 1-2 weeks earlier. And after the solstice, something else feels confusing: evenings start getting brighter, but mornings stay dark or even get darker for a while. This happens because sunrise and sunset don't shift at the same speed—the sun's position changes in a way that affects morning and afternoon light differently.
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When Is the Shortest Day of the Year?
The shortest day of the year is the winter solstice, which usually happens on December 21 in the Northern Hemisphere. Sometimes it falls on December 20, 22, or 23, depending on the year and your time zone. This is the day with the least total daylight—the sun spends the shortest amount of time above the horizon.
Here's what's important to understand:
- Shortest daylight ≠earliest sunset: The day with the least total daylight isn't the same as the day with the earliest sunset
- Shortest daylight ≠coldest day: The solstice marks the shortest day, but the coldest temperatures usually come weeks later in January or February
- Northern vs Southern Hemisphere: When it's the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere (around December 21), it's the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. Their winter solstice happens around June 20-22
The winter solstice happens because Earth is tilted about 23.5° on its axis. During the solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted farthest away from the sun, so sunlight hits at a shallow angle and the sun spends less time above the horizon.
Why Doesn't the Earliest Sunset Happen on the Solstice?
This is where it gets interesting. The earliest sunset typically happens about 1-2 weeks before the winter solstice, not on the solstice itself. And the latest sunrise happens about 1-2 weeks after the solstice. Here's why:
Earth's Tilt and Elliptical Orbit
Two things work together to create this pattern:
- Earth's tilt: Our planet is tilted 23.5° on its axis, which causes the seasons
- Elliptical orbit: Earth doesn't orbit in a perfect circle—it's slightly oval-shaped, so we move faster when we're closer to the sun and slower when we're farther away
These two factors combine to make the sun's position change in a way that affects morning and afternoon light differently.
Solar Noon Drifts Throughout the Year
Solar noon is the moment when the sun is highest in the sky. But here's the key: solar noon doesn't always happen at exactly 12:00 on your clock. It drifts slightly throughout the year.
Think of it like this: imagine your watch is slowly drifting a few minutes each day. So "noon" on your clock doesn't always match when the sun is actually highest in the sky. This drift happens because of Earth's elliptical orbit and tilt.
Here's what this means:
- In early December, solar noon happens a few minutes before clock noon
- This makes the afternoon shorter, so sunset happens earlier
- But the morning is also affected differently, so sunrise shifts at a different rate
Afternoon and Morning Daylight Change at Different Rates
Because solar noon drifts, the amount of daylight in the morning and afternoon change at different speeds:
- Afternoon daylight: Starts getting shorter in late November/early December, reaches its shortest (earliest sunset) about 1-2 weeks before the solstice, then slowly starts getting longer
- Morning daylight: Keeps getting shorter until about 1-2 weeks after the solstice, when sunrise finally starts getting earlier
This is why the shortest total daylight happens on the solstice (when both morning and afternoon are at their shortest), but the earliest sunset and latest sunrise happen on different days.
Timeline Example: Northern Hemisphere
Here's how the pattern unfolds in the Northern Hemisphere:
- Early December (around Dec 7-10): Earliest sunset happens
For example, sunset might be around 4:20 PM. This is when evenings are at their darkest. - December 21-22: Winter solstice (shortest total daylight)
This is the day with the least total daylight. But sunset is already getting slightly later than it was in early December. Sunrise is still getting later, though. - Late December / Early January: Sunset slowly gets later, but sunrise is still getting later too
Evenings start getting a bit brighter (sunset moves from 4:20 PM to 4:25 PM, then 4:30 PM). But mornings stay dark or get darker because sunrise keeps getting later (maybe 7:15 AM becomes 7:20 AM). - Mid-January (around Jan 7-10): Latest sunrise happens
This is when mornings are at their darkest. After this, sunrise finally starts getting earlier. - Late January / Early February: We really start to notice more evening light
By now, you've gained 20-30 minutes of daylight compared to the solstice. If you work 9-5, you might notice it's still light when you leave work. Mornings are also starting to brighten.
Key takeaway: Even after the solstice, mornings can stay dark or get darker for a while. Evenings slowly brighten first. This is why you might think "I thought the days were getting longer, but it's still dark when I wake up!"
What This Means for Everyday Life
Understanding this pattern helps explain why you notice certain changes at different times:
Runners, Walkers, and After-Work Daylight
If you run or walk in the evening, you'll notice more light first. By late January, sunset might be 20-30 minutes later than it was in early December. So if you usually run at 5:00 PM, you might find it's still light enough in late January, even though it was dark in early December.
But if you run in the morning, you won't notice brighter conditions until mid-to-late January, when sunrise finally starts getting earlier. Until then, mornings stay dark or get darker.
People Who Work 9-5
If you work a typical 9-5 schedule, you probably notice evening light first. In early December, it might be dark when you leave work at 5:00 PM. But by late January, you might notice it's still light when you walk to your car. This happens because sunset has shifted later, even though mornings are still dark.
This pattern can feel confusing because you know "days are getting longer," but your morning commute is still dark. That's normal—mornings brighten later than evenings.
Walking the Dog
If you walk your dog in the evening, you'll notice it gets easier to see (and safer) starting in late December or early January. But if you walk your dog early in the morning, you'll need a flashlight longer—until mid-to-late January when sunrise finally starts getting earlier.
This is why the pattern can feel confusing: "I thought the days were getting longer, but it's still dark when I wake up!" That's because evenings brighten first, while mornings stay dark or get darker for a while after the solstice.
How to Check Your Own Sunrise and Sunset Times
The exact times for sunrise and sunset depend on your specific location and the date. Here's how to find them:
Use SunTimesToday to Find Exact Times
You can look up the exact sunrise and sunset times by city and date:
- Go to the SunTimesToday homepage and search for your city
- Open your city's sunrise/sunset page to see today's times
- Check different dates to see how times change throughout December and January
- Compare early December to late January to see how sunset has shifted later and sunrise has shifted earlier
Each city page shows you the exact sunrise and sunset times for any date, so you can see when the earliest sunset happens, when the solstice occurs, and when you'll start noticing more evening light.
For example, you can check today's sunset time near you and compare it to dates in early December to see the difference. You can also use these pages to plan activities during golden hour or evening walks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the winter solstice the same day every year?
The winter solstice usually occurs on December 21, but it can fall on December 20, 21, 22, or 23 depending on the year and time zone. This slight variation happens because Earth's orbit takes about 365.25 days, so we use leap years to keep the calendar aligned. The exact moment of the solstice shifts slightly each year.
Is the winter solstice the coldest day of the year?
No. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year (least daylight), but it's usually not the coldest day. The coldest days typically come weeks later in January or February because Earth's oceans and land take time to cool down. This delay is called seasonal lag—the shortest day happens first, then temperatures continue dropping.
Why do my evenings feel brighter before my mornings?
Evenings get brighter first because sunset times start getting later before sunrise times start getting earlier. The earliest sunset happens about 1-2 weeks before the solstice, then sunsets slowly get later. But sunrises keep getting later until about 1-2 weeks after the solstice. So you notice more evening light first, while mornings stay dark or get darker for a while longer.
When do we start to really notice longer days?
Most people start noticing longer days in late January or early February. By then, you've gained 20-30 minutes of daylight compared to the solstice, and both sunrise and sunset have shifted noticeably. The change is gradual at first (just seconds per day), but by late January, the extra evening light becomes obvious—especially if you work 9-5 and notice it's still light when you leave work.
Does this work the same in the Southern Hemisphere?
Yes, the same pattern happens in the Southern Hemisphere, but the dates are reversed. Their winter solstice (shortest day) occurs around June 20-22. The earliest sunset happens before their solstice, and evenings start getting brighter before mornings. The science is the same—it's just flipped because they're experiencing winter when the Northern Hemisphere has summer.
Understanding the Pattern Helps You Plan Better
Now that you understand why the shortest day of the year isn't the earliest sunset, and why evenings brighten before mornings, you can plan your activities with confidence. Whether you're scheduling evening runs, planning photography during golden hour, or just trying to understand why it feels dark in the morning even though "days are getting longer," knowing this pattern helps.
Remember: the winter solstice marks the shortest total daylight, but sunset and sunrise shift at different rates. Evenings start getting brighter first, while mornings stay dark or get darker for a while after the solstice. By late January, you'll really start to notice the difference.
To see exactly when sunrise and sunset happen for your location, use SunTimesToday to search for your city and check the times for different dates. You can compare early December to late January to see how the pattern unfolds in your area.
The shortest day isn't when everything is darkest—it's when the total daylight is shortest. Evenings start brightening first, and mornings follow a few weeks later. Understanding this pattern helps you know what to expect and when.