Shorter days are here. How quickly will the metro-east lose daylight this fall?
The first official day of fall is less than three weeks away, and the days are becoming shorter in Belleville and across the region and hemisphere.
This year’s summer solstice took place June 20, the longest day of 2025, according to astronomy publication Space.com.
The summer solstice is when the sun travels its “northernmost path,” according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. While this signifies the astronomical beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it marks the start of winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
Meteorological fall began Sept. 1 and runs through the end of November, although astronomical fall won’t begin until the Monday, Sept. 22 autumn equinox. Daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 2.
National Weather Service forecasters expect the metro-east may see a relatively warm and dry fall this year.
Now the summer solstice has passed, the days will get progressively shorter until the winter solstice in late December. Here’s how sunrise and sunset times will compare in the coming months.
How quickly will the days shorten in Belleville, IL?
The “shortest” day of the year, or the day with the least amount of daylight, will be the winter solstice Sunday, Dec. 21, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
The days are gradually getting shorter. Here are some projected sunrise and sunset times for various dates in Belleville, from online clock Time and Date:
- Wednesday, Sept. 3: 6:31 a.m. sunrise, 7:27 p.m. sunset
- Monday, Sept. 15: 6:41 a.m. sunrise, 7:07 p.m. sunset
- Wednesday, Oct. 1: 6:56 a.m. sunrise, 6:42 p.m. sunset
- Wednesday, Oct. 15: 7:09 a.m. sunrise, 6:21 p.m. sunset
- Saturday, Nov. 1: 7:26 a.m. sunrise, 5:59 p.m. sunset
- Sunday, Nov. 2 (daylight saving time ends): 6:27 a.m. sunrise, 4:58 p.m. sunset
- Saturday, Nov. 15: 6:42 a.m. sunrise, 4:46 p.m. sunset
- Monday, Dec. 1: 6:58 a.m. sunrise, 4:39 p.m. sunset
- Monday, Dec. 15: 7:10 a.m. sunrise, 4:40 p.m. sunset
- Sunday, Dec. 21 (winter solstice): 7:13 a.m. sunrise, 4:42 p.m. sunset
- Wednesday, Dec. 31: 7:17 a.m. sunrise, 4:49 p.m. sunset
As the sun begins to set over Belleville before 5 p.m. in November, more residents may be driving after dark for their commutes. Travel company AAA reports driving fatalities are “three times more likely at night than during the day,” and recommends motorists follow safety guidelines, including:
- Ensure visibility by cleaning the inside and outside of your vehicle’s windows, make sure your windshield wipers are working and regularly wipe down your mirrors, headlights and taillights.
- Watch closely for wildlife, such as deer or raccoons, and consider using your high beams when there is no oncoming traffic.
- Stay alert, and pull over to take a break if you get overly tired.
Do you have a question about the weather in Illinois for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Metro-east Matters form below.
