Ready for more daylight in the evening? Here’s when MS will start seeing longer days
If the sun setting before the end of the workday has you feeling the winter blues lately, chin up — longer daylight hours are coming to Mississippi in just a few weeks.
Mississippians have experienced sunsets as early as 4:54 p.m. this month, but brighter days are in store as we move closer to the winter solstice, set to happen at 9:03 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21, according to global online clock Time and Date.
Here’s what to know about the winter solstice and when residents of The Magnolia State can expect to see more hours of daylight.
What is the winter solstice?
Often celebrated as a day bringing hope for the spring, the winter solstice marks the day with the least amount of light all year, according to the National Weather Service.
Solstices happen two times per year, marking the change of seasons as well as the shortest and longest days of the year, according to NASA.
The next summer solstice is set to happen at 4:42 a.m. June 21, 2026, according to Time and Date.
When will the sun set later in Mississippi?
Mississippi sunsets will start happening later in mid-December. Here’s how sunrise and sunset times will change from December to January, according to Time and Date:
- Dec. 14: 6:44 a.m. sunrise, 4:56 p.m. sunset
- Dec. 21 (winter solstice): 6:48 a.m. sunrise, 4:59 p.m. sunset
- Dec. 28: 6:51 a.m. sunrise, 5:03 p.m. sunset
- Jan. 5: 6:53 a.m. sunrise, 5:09 p.m. sunset
- Jan. 12: 6:53 a.m. sunrise, 5:14 p.m. sunset
- Jan. 19: 6:52 a.m. sunrise, 5:20 p.m. sunset
- Jan. 26: 6:49 a.m. sunrise, 5:27 p.m. sunset
What will the weather be like this winter?
Winter officially begins with the solstice Dec. 21, but chances are Mississippians are already experiencing some of the warmer than average temperatures forecast for the season.
Both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and AccuWeather have predicted warm temperatures for the season, the Sun Herald reported.
