As summer transitions into autumn, one of the most noticeable changes is the earlier arrival of nightfall. If you’ve ever wondered what time it gets dark in September, you're not alone. The shifting daylight hours are a common topic as the seasons change. In this blog, we’ll explore why and how sunset times change in September, how geography impacts nightfall, and what to expect as the month progresses. Why do sunset times change in September? September marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, which means shorter days and longer nights. This change is due to the Earth’s axial tilt. As the Earth orbits the sun, the tilt of its axis causes different parts of the planet to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year. In September, we approach the Autumn Equinox, which occurs around 22nd-23rd September. This equinox is the moment when day and night are approximately equal in length all over the world. Before and after the Autumn equinox, daylight hours decrease steadily. So, if you're asking, "When does it get dark in September?”, the answer is that it gets dark progressively earlier throughout the month. How geography affects when it gets dark Another key factor that determines when it gets dark in September is your location. The time of sunset varies significantly depending on where you are in the world. Here are a few examples of how different locations experience sunset times: Equator: near the equator, sunset times don’t vary much throughout the year. In cities like Quito, Ecuador, you can expect the sun to set around 6:00 to 6:30 PM all year long, including in September. Northern Hemisphere (mid-latitudes): in cities like New York or London, sunset times change dramatically in September. Early in the month, the sun may set around 7:30 to 8:00 PM, but by the end of September, it could be as early as 6:30 to 7:00 PM. Northern Hemisphere (higher latitudes): in places like Scandinavia or Canada, sunset times in September shift even more dramatically. In Oslo, for example, the sun may set at 8:00 PM at the beginning of the month, but by the end, darkness can arrive as early as 6:45 PM. Southern Hemisphere: if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, September means longer days as spring approaches. In cities like Sydney, Australia, the sun sets later each day, with September sunsets ranging from about 5:45 PM early in the month to 6:15 PM by the end. The farther you are from the equator, the more noticeable the difference in daylight will be as the month progresses. Week-by-week changes in sunset times If you're closely monitoring when it gets dark in September, you’ll notice a gradual change as the weeks pass. Here’s an approximate guide to how sunset times change over the course of the month: Early September: in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun typically sets between 7:00 and 8:00 PM, depending on your location. In the Southern Hemisphere, sunset occurs between 5:30 and 6:00 PM. Mid-September: as we approach the equinox, the sun sets earlier. By mid-month, sunset times shift to around 6:30 to 7:30 PM in the Northern Hemisphere, and 5:45 to 6:15 PM in the Southern Hemisphere. Late September: following the equinox, nightfall arrives noticeably earlier. By the end of September, the sun sets between 6:00 and 7:00 PM in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, you’ll see sunsets closer to 6:15 to 6:45 PM. These changes are gradual but significant, especially for those adjusting to the shorter days as autumn sets in. How can you find out exactly when it will get dark? If you're curious about when it gets dark in your specific location during September, there are several ways to find out: Sunset calculators: many websites and apps offer sunset calculators where you can input your location and the date to find the exact sunset time. Weather apps: popular weather apps like AccuWeather, the Weather Channel, and local news stations usually include daily sunset times. Astronomy websites: websites dedicated to astronomy often provide detailed charts of sunrise and sunset times for locations worldwide. Using one of these tools can give you the most accurate answer to the question, "When does it get dark in September?" Understanding September’s changing sunset times As September unfolds, the time it gets dark varies based on your location and the progression of the month. Whether you live near the equator with relatively consistent sunset times or in higher latitudes where the days shorten rapidly, the time when night falls" will depend on where you are and how far you are from the autumn equinox. Wherever you are, September marks a transitional period that brings noticeable changes in daylight hours, signalling the shift from summer to autumn (or winter to spring in the Southern Hemisphere). Curious about what kind of torch you’ll need when the dark starts to settle in earlier? Read our blog about a torch for each season to find the right one for you.
