Meteorologist Avery Gray

The winter solstice is not the day of the latest sunrise or the earliest sunset. This is because of Earth’s tilted axis, its elliptical orbit around the Sun, and what’s known as the Equation of Time.

Around the CSRA, the earliest sunset typically falls between December 2nd and 5th, while the latest sunrise usually occurs between January 7th and 12th. The winter solstice, however, still has the fewest hours of daylight and therefore the longest night of the year.

So if we were to “ditch the switch” and keep Daylight Saving Time year-round, here’s what those notable dates would look like:

Around December 4th, our earliest sunset would occur at 6:19 PM.

On the winter solstice, the Sun would rise at 8:27 AM and set at 6:24 PM.

And around January 10th, we’d see our latest sunrise of the year at approximately 8:34 in the morning.

In the Senate: The Sunshine Protection Act has been referred to the Committee of Comerce, Science, and Transportation. The bill is waiting for committee action before moving any further.

TRACKING THE TROPICS:

An area of low pressure is expected to form in the Gulf this weekend. This has lead the National Hurricane Center to issue an invest area. Right now there is a 0% chance of development within the next 48 hours and a 20% chance within the next week. While Sea Surface Temperatures are warm enough to support development, anything that could develop would quickly interact with windshear along the eastern seaboard.

The House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act and it now heads to the Senate. If passed, this is what our shortest day and longest day would look like with Daylight Saving Time year-round. Are you team Ditch the Switch?

Happy Tuesday! Recording a new episode of the Partly Cloudy Podcast with Meteorologist Avery Gray!

Here is my latest forecast on the excessive rainfall this evening.

Excessive Rain in the Forecast this Evening Your Monday Evening Update: A stationary front is parked right over the CSRA and is doing what it does best, not moving. Because of this, an elevated risk for flash flooding remains across the regi…

Wow! Take a look at this storm passing by Graniteville, SC this evening. It showcases torrential downpours along with an impressive shelf cloud! This image was taken by Dr. James Halbert.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch is now only active for Aiken, Barnwell, Bamberg, Allendale, Screven, and Jenkins Counties. It is set to expire at 9pm!