How Much Daylight Does South Dakota Lose Before Winter?

As we settle into the reality of the return of Standard Time for the next four months, one of the most notable differences with Daylight Saving Time is the lack of daylight we experience this time of year.

So how much daylight are we actually losing as we head toward the official beginning of winter on December 21st?

According to The Farmers' Almanac, South Dakota is one of 19 states dealing with three or more hours of additional darkness each day as winter approaches and the Earth's tilt moves northern states away from the sun.

Top 10 States Losing the Most Daylight in Autumn

1. Alaska
2. Washington
3. Montana
3 (tie). North Dakota
5. Minnesota
5 (tie). Oregon
7. Maine
7 (tie). South Dakota
7 (tie). Vermont
10. Idaho
10 (tie). New Hampshire
10 (tie). Wisconsin

As for the states least impacted by fall, Hawaii will only lose 1.3 hours, while three other states (Texas, Louisiana, Florida) will only lose around two hours of daylight by the time the winter solstice comes around.

Top 10 States Losing the Least Daylight in Autumn

1. Hawaii
2. Texas
2 (tie). Louisiana
2 (tie). Florida
5. Mississippi
5 (tie). Alabama
7. South Carolina
7 (tie). Georgia
7 (tie). Arizona
10. Arkansas

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20 Ways To Tell If This Winter Will Be a Harsh One

In the days before modern weather forecasting, people used any possible bit of information to get a glimpse into the future. Old tales and folklore get handed down for generations as people do whatever they can to survive another winter.

In the 70s, meteorologist Dick Goddard put together a list of common weather folklore for Farmers’ Almanac that some say can predict what nature has in store for the darkest months of the year.

So, take note, do you see any of these signs that winter has it out for us?

Gallery Credit: Ben Kuhns

11 Winter Survival Items You Should Keep in Your Vehicle

Getting stranded in a snowstorm is scary. In the Dakotas, storms can move in fast and weather patterns can shift quickly. To be prepared is a winter necessity and here are 11 items to keep in your vehicle.

Gallery Credit: Amazon.com

A Survival Guide For Winter in South Dakota

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and the rest of the Sioux Empire (AKA southeastern South Dakota) are welcoming thousands of new residents every year.

Many of you new folks will be experiencing your first eastern South Dakota winter. While it doesn't usually get as bad as our Dakota friends up north, I speak from experience when I say it can get a little rough.

MORE: What Every South Dakotan Should Be Doing to Prepare for Winter

So, to help ease you into winter in Sioux Falls and South Dakota here are some winter survival tips:

Gallery Credit: RESULTS-TOWNSQUARE MEDIA SIOUX FALLS

Source: South Dakota Faces Significant Daylight Loss Heading Into Winter Months