London will get its first 6pm sunset in just over a week
London’s last 6pm sunset is just around the corner as winter descends on the capital. Not long after, things are set to get even darker, as the clocks go back at the end of the month. As autumn progresses, temperatures have remained relatively mild. While Storm Amy battered some parts of the UK, there has since been a return to largely clear skies and sunshine.
But the impending darkness can’t be avoided forever – with London’s first 6pm sunset forecast for just nine days’ time. Sunday, October 19 may be many people’s last chance to catch some sunshine on their commute home from work. The following day the sun will set at 5.57pm which will mark the capital’s first pre-6pm sunset of the year. There will then be a long wait until mid-March, when London is set to get the next 6pm sunset, as the nights draw out.
Clocks will then go back on the last Sunday in October (Sunday 26). While the change will mean it gets darker even earlier, it will also bring an extra hour in bed during the night of the change.
What is Daylight Saving Time?
Daylight Saving Time was introduced in the UK in 1916, after it was first used in Germany. Many other countries also followed suit in the following years.
The changing of the clocks was introduced under the Summer Time Act. It was hoped that the lighter evenings would help preserve fuel for the ongoing efforts in the First World War.
There is still a lot of debate over how effective Daylight Saving Time is. While some love the better use of daylight hours and longer evenings, others argue that the change can be disruptive and lead to dark Winter mornings.
London sunset times
Friday, October 10 – 6.19pm
Saturday, October 11 – 6.17pm
Sunday, October 12 – 6.15pm
Monday, October 13 – 6.12pm
Tuesday, October 14 – 6.10pm
Wednesday, October 15 – 6.08pm
Thursday, October 16 – 6.06pm
Friday, October 17 – 6.04pm
Saturday, October 18 – 6.02pm
Sunday, October 19 – 6pm
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