Brainerd, MN: shortest day and earliest sunset
The shortest day in Brainerd
On Dec 21 the sun rises at 7:57 am and sets at 4:33 pm: 8h 36m of daylight, a dark winter. The longest day of summer has 15h 48m, so the swing is 7h 13m.
When it gets better in Brainerd
- Earliest sunset: 4:30 pm on Dec 10, before the shortest day (here is why).
- Latest sunrise (standard time): 8:00 am on Jan 1.
- Back above 10 hours of daylight: Feb 8.
- By Feb 21 the days grow by 3.2 minutes a day.
Waking and coming home in the dark
With a 7:00 am alarm, the sun is not yet up on 126 weekdays a year. Heading home at 5:30 pm, it has already set on 70. 69 weekdays start and end in the dark. The alarm and lamp guide shows how that compares across the country.
At 46.4°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 Brainerd
- 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 Sep 21 to Mar 30, so set it up before Sep 21.
- On daylight grounds there is a strong case for a light therapy lamp: 69 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 5: worth checking your bike lights and porch light before Nov 2.
Daylight in Brainerd, month by month
Sunrise, sunset and day length on the 21st of each month, local clock time. December is the darkest, at 8h 36m.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | 5:46 am | 9:00 pm | 15h 14m |
| August 2026 | 6:23 am | 8:16 pm | 13h 52m |
| September 2026 | 7:03 am | 7:16 pm | 12h 14m |
| October 2026 | 7:43 am | 6:19 pm | 10h 37m |
| November 2026 | 7:27 am | 4:38 pm | 9h 11m |
| December 2026 | 7:57 am | 4:33 pm | 8h 36m |
| January 2027 | 7:52 am | 5:05 pm | 9h 13m |
| February 2027 | 7:10 am | 5:51 pm | 10h 41m |
| March 2027 | 7:18 am | 7:31 pm | 12h 13m |
| April 2027 | 6:20 am | 8:12 pm | 13h 53m |
| May 2027 | 5:37 am | 8:50 pm | 15h 13m |
| June 2027 | 5:24 am | 9:13 pm | 15h 48m |
Brainerd against the places around it
On the shortest day, compared with Brainerd (8h 36m, sunset 4:33 pm):
- Sartell, MN, 51 mi away: 8h 41m of daylight (+5 min), sunset 4:36 pm (+3 min).
- Sauk Rapids, MN, 53 mi away: 8h 42m of daylight (+6 min), sunset 4:36 pm (+3 min).
- St. Cloud, MN, 57 mi away: 8h 42m of daylight (+6 min), sunset 4:36 pm (+3 min).
- Alexandria, MN, 65 mi away: 8h 39m of daylight (+3 min), sunset 4:39 pm (+6 min).
- Grand Rapids, MN, 69 mi away: 8h 29m of daylight (-7 min), sunset 4:27 pm (-6 min).