Find Out How much Daylight your state will gain in the month of fubruary

As the chill of winter begins to loosen its grip and we edge closer to the promise of spring, one of the most welcome changes is the gradual lengthening of our days. February, that quirky month with its extra day every leap year (and 2024 was one, folks!), marks a turning point where the sun starts to linger a bit longer in the sky. For farmers, gardeners, and anyone who relies on the rhythms of nature, knowing how much daylight your state gains can help plan everything from planting seeds to simply soaking up those extra rays.

Related: Spring Equinox 2026: When Is It, and What is It?

Here at the Farmers’ Almanac, we’re all about practical wisdom rooted in the stars and seasons. Daylight gain varies by latitude—the farther north you are, the more dramatic the increase, thanks to Earth’s tilt. We’ve crunched the numbers based on approximate calculations for each state’s capital city, rounded to the nearest latitude band. These figures represent the rough difference in daylight hours from the start to the end of February (think February 1 to March 1 for a full month’s gain). Keep in mind, exact amounts can shift slightly depending on your precise location, elevation, and even the year, but this gives a solid overview.

We’ve sorted the states from the biggest gainers (hello, northern latitudes!) to the more modest increases down south. Check out where your home state lands:

Daylight Gain in February For MAjor US Cities

Daylight Gain in February by State

State	Daylight Gain in February (hours: minutes)
Alaska	2h 27m
North Dakota	1h 36m
Washington	1h 19m
Montana	1h 19m
Minnesota	1h 19m
Oregon	1h 19m
South Dakota	1h 19m
Maine	1h 19m
Vermont	1h 19m
Wisconsin	1h 19m
Idaho	1h 19m
New Hampshire	1h 19m
Michigan	1h 19m
Massachusetts	1h 6m
Rhode Island	1h 6m
Connecticut	1h 6m
Iowa	1h 6m
Wyoming	1h 6m
Nebraska	1h 6m
Utah	1h 6m
Pennsylvania	1h 6m
New Jersey	1h 6m
Indiana	1h 6m
Illinois	1h 6m
Ohio	1h 6m
Colorado	1h 6m
Nevada	1h 6m
Delaware	1h 6m
Kansas	1h 6m
Missouri	1h 6m
Maryland	1h 6m
California	1h 6m
West Virginia	1h 6m
Kentucky	1h 6m
New York	1h 6m
Virginia	0h 55m
Tennessee	0h 55m
North Carolina	0h 55m
New Mexico	0h 55m
Oklahoma	0h 55m
Arkansas	0h 55m
South Carolina	0h 55m
Georgia	0h 55m
Arizona	0h 55m
Alabama	0h 45m
Mississippi	0h 45m
Louisiana	0h 45m
Florida	0h 45m
Texas	0h 45m
Hawaii	0h 28m

Isn’t it fascinating how Alaska tops the chart with over two hours of extra light? That’s enough time to chop a cord of wood or dream up your spring garden plans. Down in Hawaii, the gain is smaller, but with those tropical vibes, every minute counts!

Why does this matter for farmers and almanac readers? Longer days mean more time for chores, better conditions for early crops like peas or spinach, and a boost to your mood after those short winter days. Remember, these are averages—use a sunrise/sunset calculator for your exact spot to fine-tune. And if you’re in a leap year like 2024, that extra February 29th gives you one more day to enjoy the stretch.

Stay tuned to the Farmers’ Almanac for more seasonal insights, from moon phases to planting guides. What’s your favorite way to celebrate the return of the light? Drop us a line—we love hearing from our readers!

Note: Data approximated using capital city latitudes, rounded to 5-degree increments. Actual daylight can vary by location and year.