The crisp air of change is sweeping into the Chicago area this week, signaling more than just cooler temperatures as fall approaches. Along with the seasonal shift, the region is hitting several daylight-related milestones.
The fall equinox, marking the official start of autumn, will occur at approximately 7:44 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22. However, Chicago will experience notable daylight changes both before and after this date.
Contrary to popular belief, the equinox does not bring an exact 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of nighttime. In fact, the first day with less than 12 hours of daylight won’t come until Sept. 25, three days after the equinox, according to TimeandDate. Daylight enthusiasts will have to wait nearly six months to regain 12 hours of sunlight, with that day arriving on March 17, 2025.
Another key moment in the approach of fall will take place on Sunday, Sept. 15, when the sun will set before 7 p.m. for the first time since March 16, with sunset scheduled for 6:58 p.m. that day.
For the rest of the month, Chicago will lose nearly three minutes of daylight per day, with sunsets occurring around 6:30 p.m. by the end of September. The next major shift comes on Oct. 21, when the sun will set before 6 p.m., leaving the city with fewer than 11 hours of daylight each day.
