At 4:36 today the sun will set in Waterloo --- and will continue to set at 4:36 (albeit with a few micro-seconds difference) --- through December 14th.

Finally, on December 15th, it will set at 4:37 and will continue to sink below the horizon later and later in the evening until June 20th when it sets at 8:50.

**The sun will set at 4:35 in Cedar Rapids tonight (Thursday 12/2), as the city lies further east than Waterloo, but throughout the remainder of this post, I'll use Waterloo as the reference point for sunrise and sunset times.**

But wait...isn't the 'shortest day of the year on the first day of winter?' YES, IT IS!

Let me explain...

The sun will set later in the day in Mid-December, but it will still rise later in the morning throughout December.

On January 1, 2022, the sun will rise in Waterloo at 7:39 and will continue to rise at that time until January 6th, when it starts to backtrack at 7:38 on that date. The sun will rise the earliest from June 10-19 at 5:31.

So when is the shortest day of the year, in terms of sunlight? It's still the first day of winter! On that day, December 21, Waterloo will have 9 hours, 3 minutes, and 43 seconds of daylight. The following day, December 22, will have two seconds MORE daylight.

On that first day of winter, the sun will rise at 7:35 and set at 4:39. That's a 15 minute later sunrise than today, December 2, and a three-minute later sunset than today.

See the chart below:

timeanddate.com
timeanddate.com
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So, while the sun will basically be 'stuck' setting at 4:36 for the next couple of weeks, your morning 'wake up' will still be darker and darker until NEXT YEAR on January 6th.

 

KEEP READING: 15 Natural Ways to Improve Your Sleep

Small Town Iowa: Matchstick Marvels Museum in Gladbrook

Don't miss out on what people from all around the world have come to see. The museum is located at 319 2nd Street in Gladbrook. Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm, or by appointment.

 

 

 

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