As temperatures drop, winter officially begins on Saturday.
Learn about the winter solstice, the start of astronomical winter, and the shortest day of the year.
What is the winter solstice?
The winter solstice marks the start of astronomical winter, different from the meteorological winter based on the calendar.
In middle school science class, you may have learned that the Earth rotates around the sun in a large circle and on its axis, creating day and night. The axis tilt causes varying sunlight amounts in the northern and southern hemispheres throughout the year.
The winter solstice refers to the moment when half of the Earth is furthest from the sun, resulting in the shortest day of the year. It also signals an increase in sunlight for the next six months.
When is the winter solstice?
In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice falls on December 21st, this year it is on December 21st. The summer solstice occurs around June 21st.
For people on the equator, their winter solstice is in June, and summer solstice in December.
What is the vernal equinox?
There are two vernal and autumnal equinoxes each year.
During the spring equinox, the sun is directly above the Earth’s equator, bringing equal sunlight and darkness.
The spring equinox in March marks the astrological end of winter, while the autumnal equinox in September marks the end of summer.
When is the next astrological seasonal change?
After the winter solstice, expect astronomical seasonal changes on specific dates:
Vernal Equinox (Spring): Thursday, March 20, 2025, 5:01 a.m.
Summer Solstice: Friday, June 20, 2025, 10:42 p.m.
Autumnal Equinox (Fall): Monday, September 22, 2025, 2:19 p.m.
Can you see the winter solstice?
As the winter solstice approaches, the sun’s orbit sets lower in the sky, resulting in longer shadows. On the day of the solstice, the shadow will be the longest of the year at noon.
Source: www.nbcnews.com
