Winter storm preparations
Here are some safety tips to remember during winter storm preparations.
- Despite Ohio seeing snowfall and chilly temperatures, the first day of winter in 2025 isn’t until Sunday, Dec. 21, the day of the winter solstice.
- The winter solstice marks the day with the least daylight (the shortest day of the year) in the Northern Hemisphere.
- On the winter solstice, Ohio will experience approximately 9 hours and 20 minutes of daylight, with sunset at approximately 5:10 p.m.
The start of December in Ohio brought snow emergencies across the state and record snowfall for some regions. Now, the Buckeye State could see several more inches of snow by Dec. 13 as arctic air moves into the state. And winter hasn’t (officially) even started yet.
So, when is the first day of winter? When is the winter solstice? Is it the shortest day of the year? Here’s when the solstice happens and how much daylight Ohio will see.
When does winter start 2025? When is the winter solstice? Here’s what time it happens
The 2025 winter solstice will occur on Sunday, Dec. 21.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the solstice is at 10:03 a.m. ET in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight throughout the year — essentially, the “shortest day” of the year.
The almanac also predicts Ohio will have a snowy and chilly winter.
When is the shortest day of the year 2025?
The shortest day of the year will be on Dec. 21, which is the day of the winter solstice.
What is the winter solstice?
The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere because it’s the day the northern half of the Earth is tilted furthest from the sun. That’s why the winter solstice brings the fewest hours of sunlight during the year. This day will have the shortest daylight hours and longest night.
The winter solstice occurs every year on Dec. 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere.
But right after the winter solstice, the days will begin growing longer while nights will become shorter. That means we will be on our way back toward spring and summer daylight long before winter ends.
How many daylight hours will Ohio see on the winter solstice?
According to the United States Naval Observatory, Ohio will see 9 hours and 20 minutes of daylight on December 21, the day of the winter solstice.
The sun will set at 5:10 p.m. in Ohio on Dec. 21, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Several days before and after December 21 also have similar daylight hours, but the winter solstice is shorter by a few seconds.
When does winter end?
Winter ends on Friday, March 20, 2026, the day of the vernal equinox (spring equinox).
