Alexandria, MN: shortest day and earliest sunset
The shortest day in Alexandria
On Dec 21 the sun rises at 8:00 am and sets at 4:39 pm: 8h 39m of daylight, a dark winter. The longest day of summer has 15h 44m, so the swing is 7h 05m.
When it gets better in Alexandria
- Earliest sunset: 4:37 pm on Dec 10, before the shortest day (here is why).
- Latest sunrise (standard time): 8:03 am on Jan 2.
- Back above 10 hours of daylight: Feb 7.
- By Feb 21 the days grow by 3.1 minutes a day.
Waking and coming home in the dark
With a 7:00 am alarm, the sun is not yet up on 133 weekdays a year. Heading home at 5:30 pm, it has already set on 67. 67 weekdays start and end in the dark. The alarm and lamp guide shows how that compares across the country.
At 45.9°N this is as far north as, or farther than, Nashua NH (43°N), where a 1990 survey found 9.7% of adults reported winter depression.
What to do about it in Alexandria
- A sunrise alarm clock is worth getting here: on 96 weekdays the sun is still at least 20 minutes from rising at 7:00 am. Dark mornings run from Sep 16 to Apr 1, so set it up before Sep 16.
- On daylight grounds there is a strong case for a light therapy lamp: 67 weekdays start and end in the dark. Use it in the morning, and if winter low mood is the reason, ask a doctor before you rely on one.
- If you head home at 5:30 pm, the sun has already set from Nov 2 to Feb 2: worth checking your bike lights and porch light before Nov 2.
Daylight in Alexandria, month by month
Sunrise, sunset and day length on the 21st of each month, local clock time. December is the darkest, at 8h 39m.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | 5:52 am | 9:03 pm | 15h 11m |
| August 2026 | 6:29 am | 8:19 pm | 13h 50m |
| September 2026 | 7:07 am | 7:21 pm | 12h 13m |
| October 2026 | 7:47 am | 6:25 pm | 10h 38m |
| November 2026 | 7:30 am | 4:44 pm | 9h 14m |
| December 2026 | 8:00 am | 4:39 pm | 8h 39m |
| January 2027 | 7:55 am | 5:11 pm | 9h 16m |
| February 2027 | 7:14 am | 5:57 pm | 10h 42m |
| March 2027 | 7:23 am | 7:35 pm | 12h 12m |
| April 2027 | 6:25 am | 8:16 pm | 13h 51m |
| May 2027 | 5:43 am | 8:53 pm | 15h 10m |
| June 2027 | 5:31 am | 9:15 pm | 15h 44m |
Alexandria against the places around it
On the shortest day, compared with Alexandria (8h 39m, sunset 4:39 pm):
- Fergus Falls, MN, 44 mi away: 8h 36m of daylight (-3 min), sunset 4:41 pm (+2 min).
- Willmar, MN, 54 mi away: 8h 45m of daylight (+6 min), sunset 4:41 pm (+2 min).
- Sartell, MN, 59 mi away: 8h 41m of daylight (+2 min), sunset 4:36 pm (-3 min).
- Sauk Rapids, MN, 62 mi away: 8h 42m of daylight (+3 min), sunset 4:36 pm (-3 min).
- St. Cloud, MN, 63 mi away: 8h 42m of daylight (+3 min), sunset 4:36 pm (-3 min).