Athens-Clarke County, GA: shortest day and earliest sunset
The shortest day in Athens-Clarke County
On Dec 21 the sun rises at 7:35 am and sets at 5:28 pm: 9h 54m of daylight, a moderate winter. The longest day of summer has 14h 25m, so the swing is 4h 31m.
When it gets better in Athens-Clarke County
- Earliest sunset: 5:24 pm on Dec 4, before the shortest day (here is why).
- Latest sunrise (standard time): 7:39 am on Jan 7.
- Back above 10 hours of daylight: Jan 7.
- 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 157 weekdays a year. Heading home at 5:30 pm, it has already set on 28. 28 weekdays start and end in the dark. The alarm and lamp guide shows how that compares across the country.
At 33.9°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 Athens-Clarke County
- A sunrise alarm clock is worth getting here: on 98 weekdays the sun is still at least 20 minutes from rising at 7:00 am. Dark mornings run from Aug 24 to Apr 16, so set it up before Aug 24.
- There is some case for a light therapy lamp: 28 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 16 to Dec 23: worth checking your bike lights and porch light before Nov 16.
Daylight in Athens-Clarke County, month by month
Sunrise, sunset and day length on the 21st of each month, local clock time. December is the darkest, at 9h 54m.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | 6:37 am | 8:42 pm | 14h 05m |
| August 2026 | 7:00 am | 8:13 pm | 13h 14m |
| September 2026 | 7:21 am | 7:31 pm | 12h 11m |
| October 2026 | 7:43 am | 6:52 pm | 11h 09m |
| November 2026 | 7:12 am | 5:27 pm | 10h 15m |
| December 2026 | 7:35 am | 5:28 pm | 9h 54m |
| January 2027 | 7:37 am | 5:53 pm | 10h 16m |
| February 2027 | 7:12 am | 6:23 pm | 11h 11m |
| March 2027 | 7:36 am | 7:46 pm | 12h 10m |
| April 2027 | 6:56 am | 8:09 pm | 13h 14m |
| May 2027 | 6:28 am | 8:32 pm | 14h 04m |
| June 2027 | 6:23 am | 8:48 pm | 14h 25m |
Athens-Clarke County against the places around it
On the shortest day, compared with Athens-Clarke County (9h 54m, sunset 5:28 pm):
- Jefferson, GA, 19 mi away: 9h 53m of daylight (-1 min), sunset 5:29 pm (+1 min).
- Winder, GA, 20 mi away: 9h 53m of daylight (-1 min), sunset 5:30 pm (+2 min).
- Monroe, GA, 23 mi away: 9h 54m of daylight (0 min), sunset 5:30 pm (+2 min).
- Auburn, GA, 27 mi away: 9h 53m of daylight (-1 min), sunset 5:30 pm (+2 min).
- Braselton, GA, 28 mi away: 9h 53m of daylight (-1 min), sunset 5:30 pm (+2 min).