Sunset Times in Johannesburg, December: 6:30–7:30 PM

In **December (austral summer)**, Johannesburg (26.2°S, 28.0°E, 1,753 m elevation) experiences its **latest sunsets** of the year.

Typical December Sunset Range

• Early December: ~6:45 PM SAST (UTC+2)
• Mid-December (solstice ~Dec 21): ~7:00 PM SAST
• Late December: ~7:05 PM SAST

Overall range: ~6:30 PM – 7:30 PM SAST (South Africa Standard Time, no DST).

Why the Variation?

• Equation of Time: Solar noon shifts due to Earth's elliptical orbit/axial tilt. Sunset doesn't change symmetrically with sunrise.
• Atmospheric Refraction: Adds ~2 minutes apparent daylight.
• Elevation: Joburg's altitude (1,753 m) advances sunrise/delays sunset slightly vs. sea level.
• Horizon: Urban/ridge lines affect visible sunset.

Civil Twilight (Usable Light)

• Ends ~30–35 min after sunset: **7:00–7:40 PM**.
• Nautical twilight ends ~1 hr after sunset.

Practical Implications

• Load shedding (rolling blackouts): Eskom schedules often align with peak evening – sunset darkness = higher outage impact.
• Safety: After dark, avoid isolated areas; use rideshare.
• Photography: "Golden hour" ~5:30–7:00 PM; "Blue hour" ~7:00–7:30 PM.
• Braai (BBQ) culture: Long summer evenings = peak social time.

Annual Extremes (Joburg)

• Earliest sunset: ~5:20 PM (early June, winter solstice).
• Latest sunset: ~7:05 PM (early January, post-solstice drift).
• Daylight range: 10h 45m (June) → 13h 45m (December).

December in Joburg means long, warm evenings—perfect for rooftop sundowners, if the power stays on.