Darkest evenings haven't arrived in Central Texas yet

AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you think it gets dark early now that Standard Time is here...just wait a little bit, because we are still a few weeks away from the earliest sunsets of the year.

While the shortest day of the year comes with the winter solstice on Dec. 21, the earliest sunsets of the year happen several weeks before that, and the latest sunrises of the year happen after.

This means that by the end of November, our earliest sunsets of the whole year will be upon us.

As of Nov. 5, the sun sets at 5:40 p.m. in Austin.

By November 25, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, the sun will set a full 10 minutes earlier at 5:30 p.m. That will begin the earliest sunsets of the year, which will last through December 9.

After that, our sunsets will gradually get later again, but our sunrises will keep getting later too.

The latest sunrises of Standard Time don't arrive until January 4 and continue through January 15 with a sunrise of 7:28 a.m.

Only the sunrises during the final weeks of Daylight Saving Time happen later than this. 7:45 a.m. is the latest sunrise of the year, coming the day before Standard Time begins.

Getting around when it's darker earlier

In Standard Time, there can be more cars on the road when it's dark because it gets darker much earlier. During that same time, there may also be more pedestrians or children walking or riding their bike in very limited light.

Make sure if you're driving to have your headlights on and watch for children. If you're walking or on your bike, wear lighter colors, reflective outfits, and do what you can to be easily seen.