Surprise... Riyadh loses 41 minutes of its day in October!

As October approaches, seasonal changes are clearly evident in Riyadh. Everyone can notice the gradual decrease in daylight hours and the gradual increase in nighttime hours between the first and last days of October. This is a clear reflection of the Earth's movement around the sun and the tilt of its axis, which impacts our daily lives in terms of outdoor activities, work hours, and even sleep patterns and energy.

As October begins, the sun rises early and sets late. However, as the month approaches its end, we notice a clear decrease in daylight hours and an increase in nighttime hours, a clear indication of the advance of autumn and the sun's southward movement relative to the Northern Hemisphere.

Sunrise and sunset times in Riyadh on October 1, 2025:

• Sunrise: 5:45 AM
• Sunset: 5:40 PM
• Day length: 11 hours and 55 minutes

Sunrise and sunset times in Riyadh on the last day of October 2025:

• Sunrise: 6:00 AM
• Sunset: 5:14 PM
• Day length: 11 hours and 14 minutes

Result:
During October, between the first day and the last day, the city of Riyadh loses 41 minutes of daylight hours, while the length of the night increases by approximately the same amount.

Why do daylight hours decrease after the onset of autumn?

These changes are linked to the onset of autumn and the autumnal equinox, which occurs on September 22. At the autumnal equinox, day and night are approximately equal (12 hours each). After that, the Northern Hemisphere begins to gradually move away from the sun, so daylight hours decrease and night hours gradually increase.

The Earth's axis tilt of about 23.5° and its movement around the sun cause this natural seasonal change, which we observe in the times of sunrise and sunset in Riyadh during October 2025.

The impact of reduced daylight hours on your daily life:

• Light hours are reduced for daytime activities and daily energy.
• Nighttime increases the time for sleep and rest, which may affect sleep patterns and mood.
• Knowing the length of the day helps with better daily planning and outdoor activities.

Conclusion:
Simple observations like sunrise and sunset reflect the amazing natural phenomena associated with the arrival of autumn, and illustrate how the Earth and its movements directly impact our daily lives.