Flint, MI: shortest day and earliest sunset

The shortest day in Flint

On Dec 21 the sun rises at 8:03 am and sets at 5:03 pm: 9h 00m of daylight, a moderate winter. The longest day of summer has 15h 22m, so the swing is 6h 22m.

When it gets better in Flint

• Earliest sunset: 5:00 pm on Dec 9, before the shortest day (here is why).
• Latest sunrise (standard time): 8:06 am on Jan 3.
• Back above 10 hours of daylight: Feb 3.
• By Feb 21 the days grow by 2.8 minutes a day.

Waking and coming home in the dark

With a 7:00 am alarm, the sun is not yet up on 153 weekdays a year. Heading home at 5:30 pm, it has already set on 56. 56 weekdays start and end in the dark. The alarm and lamp guide shows how that compares across the country.

At 43.0°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 Flint

• A sunrise alarm clock is worth getting here: on 118 weekdays the sun is still at least 20 minutes from rising at 7:00 am. Dark mornings run from Sep 2 to Apr 9, so set it up before Sep 2.
• There is some case for a light therapy lamp: 56 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 2 to Jan 18: worth checking your bike lights and porch light before Nov 2.

Daylight in Flint, month by month

Sunrise, sunset and day length on the 21st of each month, local clock time. December is the darkest, at 9h 00m.

Flint against the places around it

On the shortest day, compared with Flint (9h 00m, sunset 5:03 pm):

• Burton, MI, 4 mi away: 9h 00m of daylight (0 min), sunset 5:03 pm (0 min).
• Fenton, MI, 16 mi away: 9h 02m of daylight (+2 min), sunset 5:04 pm (+1 min).
• Owosso, MI, 25 mi away: 9h 00m of daylight (0 min), sunset 5:05 pm (+2 min).
• Saginaw, MI, 30 mi away: 8h 57m of daylight (-3 min), sunset 5:03 pm (0 min).
• Pontiac, MI, 33 mi away: 9h 03m of daylight (+3 min), sunset 5:03 pm (0 min).