It starts getting dark earlier shortly after the summer solstice, which occurs around June 21st in the Northern Hemisphere. After this date, the days gradually become shorter, and the sun sets earlier each day. Although the shortest day of the year with the least amount of sunlight is at the winter solstice around December 21st, the evenings start to darken earlier starting in late June. The rate at which days get shorter and nights longer increases as autumn approaches, particularly after the autumn equinox around late September.
To summarize:
- After the summer solstice (around June 21), it begins to get dark earlier each day.
- The earliest sunsets happen in early December in some areas, but the overall daylight decreases gradually starting from late June.
- This progression continues through autumn until the winter solstice when daylight is shortest, but from late June onward, darkness starts creeping in earlier.
