Apache Junction, AZ: shortest day and earliest sunset
The shortest day in Apache Junction
On Dec 21 the sun rises at 7:26 am and sets at 5:23 pm: 9h 56m of daylight, a moderate winter. The longest day of summer has 14h 22m, so the swing is 4h 26m.
When it gets better in Apache Junction
- Earliest sunset: 5:18 pm on Dec 4, before the shortest day (here is why).
- Latest sunrise (standard time): 7:31 am on Jan 8.
- Back above 10 hours of daylight: Jan 2.
- By Feb 21 the days grow by 2 minutes a day.
Waking and coming home in the dark
With a 7:00 am alarm, the sun is not yet up on 71 weekdays a year. Heading home at 5:30 pm, it has already set on 41. 33 weekdays start and end in the dark. The alarm and lamp guide shows how that compares across the country.
At 33.4°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 Apache Junction
- A sunrise alarm clock is worth considering if you get up at 7:00 am or earlier: 39 weekday mornings here are still properly dark at that hour, mostly between Nov 18 and Feb 24.
- There is some case for a light therapy lamp: 33 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 6 to Jan 1: worth checking your bike lights and porch light before Nov 6.
Daylight in Apache Junction, month by month
Sunrise, sunset and day length on the 21st of each month, local clock time. December is the darkest, at 9h 56m.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | 5:31 am | 7:33 pm | 14h 02m |
| August 2026 | 5:53 am | 7:05 pm | 13h 12m |
| September 2026 | 6:14 am | 6:24 pm | 12h 10m |
| October 2026 | 6:36 am | 5:45 pm | 11h 10m |
| November 2026 | 7:03 am | 5:21 pm | 10h 18m |
| December 2026 | 7:26 am | 5:23 pm | 9h 56m |
| January 2027 | 7:28 am | 5:47 pm | 10h 19m |
| February 2027 | 7:04 am | 6:16 pm | 11h 12m |
| March 2027 | 6:29 am | 6:38 pm | 12h 10m |
| April 2027 | 5:49 am | 7:01 pm | 13h 12m |
| May 2027 | 5:22 am | 7:24 pm | 14h 01m |
| June 2027 | 5:17 am | 7:39 pm | 14h 22m |
Apache Junction against the places around it
On the shortest day, compared with Apache Junction (9h 56m, sunset 5:23 pm):
- Mesa, AZ, 10 mi away: 9h 56m of daylight (0 min), sunset 5:23 pm (0 min).
- Queen Creek, AZ, 11 mi away: 9h 57m of daylight (+1 min), sunset 5:23 pm (0 min).
- Gilbert, AZ, 13 mi away: 9h 57m of daylight (+1 min), sunset 5:24 pm (+1 min).
- Chandler, AZ, 19 mi away: 9h 57m of daylight (+1 min), sunset 5:24 pm (+1 min).
- Fountain Hills, AZ, 19 mi away: 9h 55m of daylight (-1 min), sunset 5:23 pm (0 min).