Here’s When West Michigan Will Start Getting More Daylight

I can't be the only one in West Michigan looking forward to this cold dark winter coming to an end.

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Every night, as the sun seems to set around 3 p.m.—or at least that’s what it feels like—I shed a little tear and hope that warmer weather and some much-needed daylight arrive soon.

Getting daylight is really important. Not only does it allow you to spend more time outdoors, but it also has a huge impact on your health.

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For example, if you don’t get enough sunlight during the winter months, your vitamin D levels could drop.

Vitamin D is important because it helps build bones and keeps them healthy.

Getting more sunlight is also important for your mental state.

I've experienced this first hand.

Back in March of 2020, I lost my job in Indiana, and was able to get another one in San Antonio, TX.

While the heat made me feel like I was going to melt into a puddle, like an ice cream cone in the sun, the actual sunlight made a big difference in my mood.

People who suffer from a lack of sunlight exposure can also have issues with their circadian rhythm, which is the body’s internal clock

The Cleveland Clinic has some more great information about getting enough sunlight.

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When Will West Michigan See More Sunlight?

West Michigan has already started to see a little more sunlight each day and will continue to see more.

In January, daylight starts to increase by about a minute per day, which adds almost an hour of total daylight by the end of the month.

After that, in February, sunlight increases even more, with sunsets moving into the 6 p.m. hour early in the month.

And as we make it to March and April the biggest increase of sunlight will happen, with nearly three extra minutes of daylight per day.

Sunlight is coming soon; we just need to hang in there a little longer.