NYC Solar Noon Maximum: Summer Solstice (~June 21)

The sun reaches its highest altitude at solar noon in New York City on the summer solstice, which occurs around June 21 each year (June 20–22).

Details

• Date: June 21 (typically).
• Solar Noon: ~12:57 PM EDT (varies slightly by date/equation of time).
• Max Altitude: ~72.5° above horizon (90° – latitude 40.7° + declination 23.4°).
• Day Length: ~15 hrs 6 min (earliest sunrise ~5:25 AM, latest sunset ~8:31 PM).

Winter Solstice Contrast

~Dec 21: Solar noon altitude ~25.5°. Day length ~9 hrs 15 min.

Why It Matters

Architecture (overhangs), solar panel tilt, gardening, photography, vitamin D synthesis—all optimized for this annual peak.