When does the day become very short in Barrow Alaska?

Question

I just looked at the weather forcast for Barrow Alaska. I see that the is setting after 11PM. I understand that being within the arctic circle they have very long days in summer and very short days in winter. I was suprised that the sun is still setting so late. Does the change from long days to short days occur suddenly near the Autumnal Equinox?

Answer 1

Wherever you are on earth, the shortest day is at the beginning of the winter. Within the polar circles you have the polar nights which can be weeks, even months!
The longest day when the summer starts. Within the polar circles you have the polar days which can be weeks, even months!
At the beginning of spring and autumn the day and night are equal long.

Th

Answer 2

What is sudden? It takes days. The length of daylight will change fastest for all of us during the spring and the fall equinox. The change is slowest around December 21 and June 21. The change is least noticeable near the equator and most noticeably at the poles. Twilight becomes very important since you can have light with the sun below the horizon.

Answer 3

The shortest day in Alaska is the ides of Winter in the northern hemisphere...I thing that's around mid-January

Answer 4

Yes they do