
Would you believe Manchester hasn’t enjoyed a 5pm sunset since all the way back on October 26th, 2024? Yes, it’s a pretty sad thought but on the other hand, those dark winter nights are coming to an end…at least for eight months until the clocks go back.
Bringing some brightness to our day, this week welcomes the first 5pm sunset of the year in Manchester, meaning you can swivel out of the office and into the pub without streetlights being a complete necessity. This essentially means we’re that bit closer to summer – hallelujah!
Credit: @jobo_photos via Instagram
Are we jumping the gun there? Well sure, since it’s currently a bit on the cold side outdoors, but the point is this: it’s smooth(er) sailing from here, at least until daylight savings rear their head once more later this year, but let’s try not to think about that one for now.
According to tracking site Time and Date, the first 5pm sunset in Manchester will take place on February 5 when the sun isn’t leaving us until bang on 5pm. This means that between now and early March is a slightly easier endurance test before we get treated to the art of the 6pm sunset. This is then followed by 7pm sunsets later on in March thanks to the clocks going forward.
And look, if we’re being honest – we still think 5pm is far too early for the sun to set. Sure, it’s unrealistic to ask for daylight until 9pm all year round, but it’d be nice if there was some kind of happy medium. Surely there’s some way to make it possible for us to go to and from work while it is light, rather than losing daytime light hours to the 9-5 and travelling under the cover of darkness…
But while that negotiation with the weather conductors rages on, we’ll take this as the first sign that summer is on the horizon and the cold and dark months will, in fact, end. Godspeed, and cling on to that idea of sitting on a beach later this year.