Residents in Lincoln, Ontario, are starting to see much more evening light as the daily sunset time heads toward the 6:00 p.m. mark this February. This change means many people will soon be driving home in the daylight for the first time since late October of last year.
The Niagara Region is seeing one of its fastest rates of daylight gain of the year — February is historically second only to March — as the season shifts: the sun is rising later and setting later, with total daylight increasing by roughly two to three minutes each day.
According to the regional research and Time and Date calculations, Lincoln will gain about 68 minutes of total sunlight over the month. By February 28, 2026, the sun will set at about 6:01 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, providing a noticeable boost to the amount of light available for outdoor activities in the late afternoon.
This shift matters for commuters who travel the QEW: by month’s end a majority of the evening rush will occur in daylight, improving visibility and road safety. Local shops and restaurants also expect to see more customers — TimeChange.org’s Ontario guide notes that people are more likely to stop and shop when the sun is still up.
While the days are getting longer because of the Earth’s axial tilt and orbital position, the official shift to Daylight Saving Time won’t happen until March 8, 2026 (DST begins Sunday, March 8 at 2 a.m.). That means the 6:00 p.m. milestone this February is being reached through the natural progression of the seasons while clocks remain on standard time.
