Anderson, SC: shortest day and earliest sunset
The shortest day in Anderson
On Dec 21 the sun rises at 7:33 am and sets at 5:24 pm: 9h 51m of daylight, a moderate winter. The longest day of summer has 14h 28m, so the swing is 4h 38m.
When it gets better in Anderson
- Earliest sunset: 5:20 pm on Dec 4, before the shortest day (here is why).
- Latest sunrise (standard time): 7:38 am on Jan 7.
- Back above 10 hours of daylight: Jan 10.
- By Feb 21 the days grow by 2.1 minutes a day.
Waking and coming home in the dark
With a 7:00 am alarm, the sun is not yet up on 148 weekdays a year. Heading home at 5:30 pm, it has already set on 38. 36 weekdays start and end in the dark. The alarm and lamp guide shows how that compares across the country.
At 34.5°N this sits between Sarasota FL (27°N, 1.4%) and Nashua NH (43°N, 9.7%) in a 1990 survey of winter depression by latitude.
What to do about it in Anderson
- A sunrise alarm clock is worth getting here: on 90 weekdays the sun is still at least 20 minutes from rising at 7:00 am. Dark mornings run from Aug 27 to Apr 14, so set it up before Aug 27.
- There is some case for a light therapy lamp: 36 weekdays start and end in the dark. If you notice winter low mood, ask a doctor whether one fits you.
- If you head home at 5:30 pm, the sun has already set from Nov 9 to Dec 30: worth checking your bike lights and porch light before Nov 9.
Daylight in Anderson, month by month
Sunrise, sunset and day length on the 21st of each month, local clock time. December is the darkest, at 9h 51m.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | 6:33 am | 8:40 pm | 14h 07m |
| August 2026 | 6:56 am | 8:11 pm | 13h 15m |
| September 2026 | 7:18 am | 7:29 pm | 12h 11m |
| October 2026 | 7:41 am | 6:49 pm | 11h 07m |
| November 2026 | 7:10 am | 5:23 pm | 10h 13m |
| December 2026 | 7:33 am | 5:24 pm | 9h 51m |
| January 2027 | 7:35 am | 5:49 pm | 10h 14m |
| February 2027 | 7:09 am | 6:19 pm | 11h 10m |
| March 2027 | 7:33 am | 7:43 pm | 12h 10m |
| April 2027 | 6:52 am | 8:07 pm | 13h 15m |
| May 2027 | 6:24 am | 8:31 pm | 14h 07m |
| June 2027 | 6:18 am | 8:46 pm | 14h 28m |
Anderson against the places around it
On the shortest day, compared with Anderson (9h 51m, sunset 5:24 pm):
- Clemson, SC, 15 mi away: 9h 50m of daylight (-1 min), sunset 5:24 pm (0 min).
- Easley, SC, 21 mi away: 9h 49m of daylight (-2 min), sunset 5:23 pm (-1 min).
- Simpsonville, SC, 26 mi away: 9h 50m of daylight (-1 min), sunset 5:22 pm (-2 min).
- Mauldin, SC, 26 mi away: 9h 49m of daylight (-2 min), sunset 5:22 pm (-2 min).
- Greenville, SC, 27 mi away: 9h 49m of daylight (-2 min), sunset 5:22 pm (-2 min).