The Sun is Setting Much Earlier .....

Really interesting! I would not have thought that Seattle would have the same sunset time as Chicago.

Sunset times in local time depend not just on how far north you are, but how far east and west within your time zone, as Mr. E says with his reference to longitude. Why do Chicago and Seattle have the same sunset times on Dec. 1, although Seattle is quite a bit further north? Because of their relative location in their time zone (eastern part of time zone, or western). Compare sunrise times for that date: Seattle 7:37 am, Chicago 6:58 am. So as you would expect, Chicago gets more total daylight on Dec. 1 by about 40 minutes. It's just that Chicago's extra daylight is during their morning rather than afternoon hours.

The important thing is that the difference from your home town may not be that great and, yes, there are benefits if you want to enjoy them, to the sunsetting earlier. Enjoy.

Wow so lucky! In Sweden our sunset time is already like 15:40 and sun rise is at 8 😭

Perhaps I have totally missed the point. But IIRC the cautions about shorter daylight hours and earlier sunsets were comparing daylight hours IN THAT PLACE, to daylight hours available at other times of the year. I dont really care how early it gets dark at home this time of year. Im not sight seeing at home. Im not exploring unknown places at home. It may be (and often is) irrelevant when only visiting cities. However anyone contemplating a winter visit where they would be spending a greater part of their time on outdoor sightseeing or activities should take the warning about short daylight hours under advisement. The other rather annoying reality is that temperatures have been known to drop, sometimes significantly after sunset. Which can make long evening strolls to look in those brightly lit windows less wonderful.

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Is this the little girl I carried?
Is this the little boy at play?
I don't remember growing older
When did they?
When did she get to be a beauty?
When did he grow to be so tall?
Wasn't it yesterday that they were small?
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as they gaze
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset

Figured a music 🎶 interlude was needed.

Claudia, always welcome. Thank you.

CJean, sure for active outdoor activities I want all the daylight I can have. For an escape to Paris, maybe not.

Those published daily low temps generally occur at just before sunrise. Right now, 8pm and 51F. But historically it could just as easily be 45F.

Not saying it's for everyone, just a consideration.

In the first few minutes of this tgr host describes the winter weather and how the city deals with it. But he could be describing a lot of cities. https://youtu.be/1nd5AtZIrTk?si=pFRCsEvhi0njaMbt

Slate--Why do Chicago and Seattle have the same sunset times on Dec. 1, although Seattle is quite a bit further north? Because of their relative location in their time zone (eastern part of time zone, or western)

Aah--I knew there must be some geographical/time zone explanation--my brain just isn't good with that kind of thing!

For me, colder temperatures would be something to take under advisement - just so I am prepared. Most European countries have heating (🤪) so it isn’t difficult to go inside to warm up if necessary.

And early sunsets are only a consideration for me if driving is involved - as a rule, I won’t drive in new places after dark. So it mattered for November in Ireland (a few years ago). But for city visits or trips involving trains, sunrise and sunset are just the times they are. It is information that is good to have but I don’t consider it a good reason to stay home (where it gets dark earlier also). 🤣 Although there are often cautions expressed here.

As you say, there is a lovely tradeoff.

It makes sense that in Seattle the sun sets of 4:20.

Hank stole my first comment :)

Just adding the Reykjavik (64N) sunset is at 3:47 p.m. on Dec. 1, which is great for viewing northern lights (weather depending) and the soon to come volcanic eruption. The sunrise that day is 10:45 a.m. so you really have to be speedy to see the daylight stuff.

As they say, Spain is different.

Madrid, at 40N (between NYC and SF), the sun sets at 5:49
Barcelona, at 41N the sun sets at 5:22
and
Cadiz, at 36N (between SF and LA) won't see the sunset until 6:09.

I like be the short days of winter here in Seattle, but love Iceland even more and yes even in winter. The dusk and dawn are drawn out more. Our 4th winter Iceland trip is coming up. Summer is great there too, but just so very different. Soaking in a pool in Iceland in the afternoon as the sun sets is something special.

If Daylight Saving was year-round, you could add another hour to all the above times. Too bad it’s not.

Unless you are traveling for the Christmas Markets, cause they are best with the lights.

I've always considered day light savings time silly and to be much like a huckster selling blankets to the natives. He cuts a 1 foot strip off the bottom, sews it to the top and proclaims it a longer blanket.

I've spent a lot of time hiking and camping, cycling to work, working outside and in all seasons and weather throughout the year. I enjoy nature's rhythm rolling through the seasons and the time of sunrise, sunset, or weather just isn't a concern.

Christmas markets at what, 6:00 or 7:00 at night? With either Standard Time or in a daylight saving situation, you’d still get darkness, with lights.

In a month, Last Run skiing is going to be pretty dark. But shorter daylight means ski season’s here. Thanks for the nice reminder!

For quite a few years I used to travel to Europe in February and fortunately I never had serious cold or snow to contend with. I was never in Scandinavia however . There were always people out and about at night because that’s what Europeans do, they get out and walk their cities.

I quite enjoyed the trade off of no pretty gardens and early sunsets but drastically fewer fellow tourists and no lines and more open space in museums.

Fun— The Christmas markets in Munich and Salzburg were open during the day as well. So we enjoyed that it got dark early as it seemed more festive that way.