Nightime seems to snatch away our daylight too early this time of year, but we're on the road to a brighter change. 

What You Need To Know

  • We gain a little more daylight each day, and that adds up over time

  • Daylight Saving Time begins March 14

  • Kentucky gains roughly 5 hours of daylight from the start of winter to the beginning of summer

Each year, the first day of winter marks the day with the least daylight for the year. It can fall on either December 20 or 21. From that point, the sun graces each day with a little more daylight than the prior. 

By late January, it becomes a bit more noticeable that the days are getting a little longer. By the end of February across Kentucky, we have more than 11 hours of daylight, compared to the roughly 9.5 hours on the first day of winter.  

Daylight Saving Time eventually kicks in, adding an extra boost to our daylight experience. It’s on March 14 this year, and we will get to enjoy close to 12 hours of daylight by then. 

By the first day of Summer, which has the most amount of daylight hours for the year, the sun will illuminate us with more than 14 hours of daylight. This year, summer begins on June 20.

The old saying "brighter days are ahead" is especially true this time of year. Each day will stay lit for a little longer, giving us extra time to enjoy our daytime activities.

However, the day after the start of Summer, the journey to fewer daylight hours will begin.