News Summary
Grand Rapids observed its final 9 p.m. sunset of the season, signaling the transition from summer to fall. With shorter days ahead, residents can expect earlier sunrises and sunsets, as daylight decreases by approximately 2 minutes and 20 seconds each day. Despite diminishing daylight hours, August remains relatively warm, averaging 80.9°F. As the region prepares for the upcoming winter solstice, it is essential for residents to stay informed about local weather patterns and forecasts.
Grand Rapids marked its last 9 p.m. sunset of the year on Sunday, August 3. With the gradual shortening of days, the sun will rise earlier and set sooner as summer turns into fall.
On August 3, the sun rose at 6:36 a.m. and set at 9:00 p.m.. This marked a notable change from the longest day of the year on the summer solstice—June 29—when the sun rose at 6:03 a.m. and set at 9:25 p.m., resulting in a total of 15 hours, 21 minutes, and 27 seconds of daylight. Following the solstice, sunsets and sunrises start occurring earlier each day, and by the end of August, these times will readjust significantly.
Residents can expect the sunset to occur at 8:18 p.m. by August 31, marking the ongoing transition toward shorter days. During August, daylight decreases by about 2 minutes and 20 seconds each day due to this gradual shift.
Although daylight hours are diminishing, temperatures in August remain relatively warm. Historically, August is the second warmest month in West Michigan, averaging 80.9 degrees Fahrenheit. In comparison, July has recorded an average high of 83.1 degrees, with Grand Rapids reaching 85.2 degrees, which is 2.2 degrees above the climatological average. Other nearby cities, including Muskegon, Kalamazoo, and Holland, experienced July temperatures at least 1 degree warmer than average, with Holland seeing an average of 3 degrees above normal, likely due to drier conditions.
The months of June and July were particularly dry in Holland, marking them as the driest months on record. Dry soil heats more rapidly compared to humid conditions which could lead to higher overall temperatures in the area. Despite a heat wave, the coming week’s forecast indicates temperatures that are expected to remain a few degrees above average, extending the warmer weather into mid-August.
Sunrise and sunset timing may vary slightly for locations situated to the east or west of Grand Rapids; however, the total duration of daylight remains consistent across these areas. As the community progresses towards the winter solstice on December 21, days will keep shortening. This date will hold the record for the shortest day of the year, featuring a sunrise at 8:10 a.m. and a sunset at 5:11 p.m., giving just 9 hours of daylight.
As the region prepares for the changes in daylight and weather patterns, residents are encouraged to stay informed about local weather forecasts. Resources for detailed weather updates are available for the community to keep track of expected temperatures and other climatic conditions that may affect daily life.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Michigan Beaches Closed Due to High Bacteria Levels Ahead of Fourth of July
Corewell Health Promotes Safety During West Michigan’s Trauma Season
Luxurious Lakefront Estate in Northport, MI Now for Sale
Wildfire Smoke Impacts Grand Rapids Air Quality
Grand Rapids Launches Free Outdoor Movie Series
Meta Partners with Constellation Energy for Clean Energy
Grand Rapids Woman Builds Community for Local Women
Grand Rapids Launches 10th Annual Outdoor Fitness Series
DeVos Institute Enhances Local Arts Nonprofits in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Expands Summer Youth Career Readiness Program
Additional Resources
- Fox17: No More 9 PM Sunsets for Grand Rapids This Year
- Wikipedia: Sunset
- WZZM: Sunsets Enter Six O’Clock Time Frame
- Google Search: Sunset Season
- Grand Rapids MN: Sunset Silos Farm
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Solstice
- MLive: Michigan’s Latest Summer Sunsets
- Google News: Sunset Weather Michigan
