Montana Fall Shift: How Much Daylight We’re Losing This September

I'd say, there has been a noticeable change in the air for the past week. You can tell fall is creeping its way into Montana. Cooler temps have started to hit, and while the first official day of fall isn't until September 22nd, we all know it's here. The other thing that has arrived, or should I say left, is daylight.

Here's the deal: Montana gets one of the longest days of the year in the lower 48, right around June 20th, clocking in at 15 hours, 42 minutes, and 33 seconds of sun (summer solstice). But since then, the light switch has slowly been dimming. September is when it really gets dramatic. September is the month we lose daylight the fastest. According to AccuWeather, northern states can lose more than 100 minutes of daylight in just September alone. That's a lot of sunsets you suddenly don't get to see after dinner.

Montana, being as big and stretched as it is, gets a split experience. From Great Falls south, we'll shed about 90 minutes this month. Head north of Great Falls, and you're looking at closer to 100 minutes. Poof gone. Translation: mornings feel darker, evenings come quicker, and before you know it, you're wondering where the heck summer went.

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Sure, Alaska gets the most dramatic swing (193 fewer minutes in September alone, wild), but for us Montanans, it's enough to notice. So, grab the flannel, pour the coffee a little earlier, and soak in what's left of those golden evenings. Because whether we like it or not, the long, bright days are clocking out. WINTER IS COMING.