Chicago to Lose Nearly an Hour of Daylight This November as Shorter Days Set In
CHICAGO — As November begins, Chicagoans are set to experience a sharp seasonal shift — with nearly one full hour of daylight lost by the end of the month. The trend, reflected across much of the northern United States, marks one of the fastest daylight declines of the year as the region moves closer to winter.
According to meteorologists, cities across the Midwest including Chicago, Minneapolis, and Detroit will lose between 55 and 65 minutes of daylight before December begins. Northern areas like Seattle and Montana will see over 70 minutes of daylight loss, while southern states such as Texas and Georgia will lose between 30 and 40 minutes on average.
Why Days Are Getting Shorter So Quickly
The shift occurs due to the Earth’s tilt, which reduces the amount of direct sunlight reaching northern latitudes as the planet approaches the winter solstice on December 21. During this time, sunrise occurs later each morning and sunset happens earlier each evening, resulting in rapidly shrinking daylight hours.
“November is one of the months where people really start to notice the darker mornings and evenings,” said forecasters at the National Weather Service in Chicago. “The difference between November 1 and November 30 can be nearly an hour of lost daylight.”
Daylight Saving Time Ends Soon
Adding to the change, Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 2, pushing clocks back one hour and making sunsets occur even earlier. In Chicago, the sun will set before 5 p.m. for much of the month, while sunrise will shift closer to 6:30 a.m.
Experts recommend residents adjust their schedules gradually to cope with shorter days and consider spending more time outdoors during daylight hours to maintain energy and mood.
From Dusk to Winter Darkness
While November daylight loss is a normal seasonal pattern, its effects are often felt deeply as temperatures cool and evening commutes grow darker. Cities at higher latitudes, including Minneapolis and Montreal, will experience the steepest declines — over 70 minutes of daylight lost this month alone.
Chicago’s daylight hours will continue to shorten until late December, when the winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year. After that, gradual gains in daylight will begin to return in early January.
Stay updated on local weather trends and seasonal forecasts at NapervilleLocal.com.
I’ve lived in Naperville long enough to see how quickly our community changes — from new developments downtown to sudden shifts in our Midwest weather. Reporting on Naperville news and daily forecasts gives me the chance to keep neighbors informed about what really matters. My goal is simple: deliver clear, timely updates so you always know what’s happening in our city and what to expect from the skies above.