With the sun setting before 5 p.m., and the cold winter weather finally settling in, Iowans could use a little more sunlight. Winter solstice is on its way, marking the end of the sun setting earlier each day.
What is the winter solstice?
Not only does the winter solstice mark the shortest day and the longest night, but it is also the first day of winter, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. Even though winter will technically begin near the end of December, the days will grow longer as the year goes on until the summer solstice in June.
More:What’s winter going to be like in Iowa? See what the ‘Old Farmer’s Almanac’ predicts.
When is the 2024 winter solstice?
The winter solstice for the Northern Hemisphere in 2024 is 3:21 a.m. Dec. 21.
How much daylight will Iowa get during the winter solstice?
Des Moines will see just more than nine hours of daylight during the winter solstice, according to timeandate.com. The sun will rise at 7:38 a.m. and set at 4:47 p.m.
When was Iowa’s earliest sunset?
Des Moines is already experiencing its earliest sunsets. Since Dec. 1, the sunset has been at 4:44 p.m. It’s expected to set at 4:45 starting on Dec. 15 and by the end of December, the sun will set as late as 4:54 p.m.
When will winter end?
Winter lasts from Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in the northern hemisphere until Thursday, March 20, 2025, when the vernal equinox will mark the beginning of spring.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
