Why South Dakota Summer Sunsets Feel So Spectacular
If you've ever caught yourself pulling over to snap a picture of a colorful sunset, you're not alone. Summer sunsets across South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa have a way of making people stop what they're doing, even if it's only for a minute.
So why do they seem so much more dramatic this time of year?
Long Summer Days Make a Difference
During the summer months, the sun takes a longer path across the sky before it sets... well, duh! Of course that means sunsets last longer, giving the sky more time to change from bright blue to shades of orange, pink, purple, and red.
Those extra few minutes are often enough to create the kind of sunset that fills up social media feeds all around the Sioux Falls area.
The Midwest Has a Front-Row Seat
One reason sunsets are so impressive across the region is the landscape itself. Wide-open prairies, rolling farmland, and long stretches of highway offer unobstructed views of the horizon. Without mountains or dense forests blocking the view, it's easier to watch the entire sunset unfold from beginning to end.
Whether you're parked by a lake in Minnesota, driving through Iowa farmland, or watching the sky over the plains of South Dakota, there's often nothing standing between you and the horizon.
No Two Sunsets Are Exactly the Same
Cloud cover, humidity, and even tiny particles in the atmosphere all affect the colors you see each evening. Some nights feature brilliant oranges and reds, while others fade into soft pinks and purples. That's part of what makes sunsets so fascinating, you never quite know what you're going to get, just like a box of chocolates!
A Daily Reminder to Slow Down
Life gets busy, and it's easy to spend an entire day looking at a computer screen or your phone. But every once in a while, nature reminds us to look up.
The next time the sky starts turning shades of orange and pink, take an extra minute to enjoy it. Summer sunsets don't last forever, and before long, those long evenings will give way to earlier nights.
Fortunately, there's still a little summer left to catch another unforgettable Midwest sunset.
