Winter solstice: What the shortest day of the year signifies
The official start of the winter season is known as the winter solstice. Here’s what it signifies.
The winter solstice is upon us, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year.
People across the country have already faced multiple blankets of white snow where they live, but the winter solstice marks the first official day of winter.
The solstice also marks the start of the Pagan holiday, Yule, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. The holiday is thought to celebrate the sun’s return and the land’s rebirth as days begin to get longer after the longest night of the year.
The solstice is celebrated by many as a time of rebirth and change. Many cultures throughout human history have observed the shift in season as an important symbol, and people of different faiths continue to recognize it today.
Here’s what to know about the winter solstice.
When is the winter solstice?
The solstice will fall on Sunday, Dec. 21.
What is the winter solstice?
The winter solstice marks the beginning of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere will greet summertime with the summer solstice.
The extra-long night and short day occur because of Earth’s tilt toward the sun. During the winter solstice, the tilt brings the Earth to its farthest point from the sun, resulting in less sunlight. The solstice itself only lasts moments, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, in the “exact moment when a hemisphere is tilted as far away from the sun as possible.”
What date does the solstice usually fall on?
The winter solstice can fall on any day between Dec. 20 and 23, depending on the year, but the 21st and 22nd are the most common.
In 2024, the solstice fell on the same date but on a different day, Saturday, Dec. 21st.
When will winter end?
Winter ends the day before the spring equinox, which marks the first day of spring, and will fall on Friday, March 20, 2026, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
So, people can experience astronomical winter for about three months, from Sunday, Dec. 21 to Thursday, March 19.
Julia is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers scientific studies and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com
