There is an obvious correlation between the amount of sunlight we receive and the amount of heat that is available. Unfortunately, we are nearing the shortest days of the year and you know that will translate into many more cold days ahead.

As of this writing, December 5th, the sun officially rises at 7:45am and sets at 5:22 pm here in Louisville, KY, which happens to be located near 38 degrees N latitude. That translates to only 9 hours and 37 minutes of sunlight. It’s no wonder why our average high temperature, this time of the year, is only in the upper 40’s. By December 22nd, the shortest day of the year and the winter solstice, our total daylight decreases to 9 hours and 30 minutes and helps to produce an average high temperature of only 44 degrees.

The good news is that we are not alone in our plight against dwindling daylight. In fact, many folks across this great country have it much worse than we do. Take Chicago for instance. Located at about 42 degrees N latitude, Chicago will only receive about 9 hours and 7 minutes of daylight on the solstice. They will also average only about 32 degrees for a high temperature on that day.

Although Chicago is certainly a dark and dismal place to spend the winter, a far worse place to spend your time during the chilly months is Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN. The Twin Cities are located at roughly 45 degrees N latitude (that’s more than two-thirds the distance from the equator to the Artic Circle). It’s no wonder that they only receive about 8 hours and 45 minutes of sunlight and have an average high temperature in the mid 20’s this time of the year.

The folks in Minnesota actually have it pretty good compared to those who live in the northern most US territory. Fairbanks, Alaska, for example, is located at approximately 65 degrees N latitude (which is only about two degrees away from the Artic Circle!) and receives only about 3 hours and 41 minutes of daylight on the shortest day of the year. That converts into 20 hours and 19 minutes of darkness in Fairbanks! It also translates into some frigid temperatures… how about an average high of only 2 degrees F!

At least the people of Fairbanks get to see the sun this time of the year. That is not the case for Barrow, AK. This northern most city of the US is located at more than 71 degrees N latitude and is positioned nearly 5 degrees latitude north of the Artic Circle. The folks in Barrow have not seen the sun since it set on November 19th and won’t see it again until January 23rd, giving them more than two months of darkness this time each year. All that darkness doesn’t allow for much warmth. Average high temperatures in Barrow remain well below zero during the winter months, yikes!

With all that being said, we really don’t have it too bad here in the lower Ohio Valley. It’s all about perspective you see. When the sun finally rises again in Barrow we will be in the heart of our winter season experiencing high temperatures that average near 40 degrees. That seems rather balmy considering the folks in Barrow won’t see 40 degrees again until June!