How Much Daylight Does South Dakota Actually Lose In October?

As autumn deepens across the prairies, South Dakota experiences one of the most dramatic periods of daylight loss during the year. In early October, South Dakotans lose about 3 minutes of daylight each day, while by month's end, the daily loss slows slightly to around 2 minutes and 45 seconds. On Oct. 2nd in Sioux Falls, Sunrise is at 7:25 am and Sunset is at 7:05 pm. Similar patterns occur across the state, from Sioux Falls to Rapid City, as South Dakota sits at a latitude where seasonal changes in daylight are particularly pronounced. This rapid daylight loss affects more than just the clock, it influences everything from farming schedules to outdoor recreation.