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how much more daylight on december 22

how much more daylight on december 22

2 min read 19-12-2024
how much more daylight on december 22

How Much More Daylight on December 22nd? Understanding the Winter Solstice and the Return of the Sun

December 22nd marks the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere – the shortest day and longest night of the year. But how much less daylight do we actually experience, and how quickly does it start to increase? The answer depends on your location.

Understanding the Winter Solstice

The winter solstice occurs when the Earth's tilt is furthest away from the sun. This means the Northern Hemisphere receives the least amount of direct sunlight. This is why December 22nd boasts the shortest period of daylight. But the good news? From this point onwards, the days begin to get longer again.

How Much Less Daylight on December 22nd?

The exact difference in daylight hours between the winter solstice and the summer solstice varies dramatically depending on your latitude. The further north you are, the more pronounced the difference will be.

  • Equator: The difference is minimal near the equator, as the sun's path remains relatively consistent throughout the year.
  • Mid-latitudes (e.g., US, Europe): You'll see a noticeable difference, often several hours between the shortest and longest days.
  • High latitudes (e.g., Alaska, Scandinavia): The difference can be extremely significant, with some locations experiencing nearly 24 hours of darkness on the winter solstice and 24 hours of daylight on the summer solstice.

Let's look at some examples:

  • New York City: On December 22nd, NYC experiences around 9 hours of daylight. The difference compared to the summer solstice (around 15 hours) is approximately 6 hours.
  • London: A similar pattern is seen in London, with around 8 hours of daylight on the winter solstice and a much greater difference compared to the summer months.
  • Anchorage, Alaska: The difference is far more dramatic in higher latitudes. Anchorage will see significantly less daylight on December 22nd compared to the summer solstice, with a difference of many more hours.

The Return of Daylight: How Quickly Does it Increase?

While the increase in daylight isn't immediately dramatic, it's noticeable. The amount of daylight gained each day is subtle at first, but it gradually becomes more significant as we move further away from the winter solstice.

Think of it as a slow but steady climb:

  • Initial Days: In the first few days after the solstice, the increase in daylight is minimal – perhaps only a few minutes.
  • Weeks Following: The gain becomes more noticeable as the weeks progress.
  • Spring Equinox: By the spring equinox (around March 20th), the days and nights are roughly equal in length.

Finding Your Local Daylight Information

To find the precise amount of daylight for your location on December 22nd and the subsequent days, you can utilize online tools. Many weather websites and astronomy resources provide sunrises and sunset times, allowing you to calculate the daily daylight hours with precision. Simply search for "[your city] sunrise sunset December 22".

Conclusion

While the winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year, it's also a turning point. The return of the sun, although gradual, is a welcome sign of longer days and brighter times ahead. Knowing how much daylight you'll have on December 22nd and how quickly it increases can help you appreciate the subtle shift in the seasons. Remember to check resources specific to your location for accurate daylight figures.

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