Winter is Coming: Understanding the Shortest Day and What to Expect

The days may still be getting shorter, but that won’t be the case for the rest of the year. Soon, the shortest day of the year will arrive, and days will slowly start getting longer from there.

The shortest day of the year is actually known as the winter solstice, marking the official start of winter. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the winter solstice is when the earth is “tilted as far away from the Sun as possible, which means that the Sun’s path across the sky is as low in the sky as it can be.”

The solstice typically falls on either December 21 or December 22 in the Northern Hemisphere and marks the “shortest day” of the year, or the day with the least amount of sunlight. This year, it falls on December 21, with the solstice itself taking place at 3:21 a.m. CST.

This does not, however, mark the earliest sunset. According to Time and Date, that will actually fall earlier in December, when the sun sets at 4:19 p.m. CST on December 13.

When Does Winter Start?

The answer to this question depends on which “start to winter” you recognize. Meteorological winter – which is used by meteorologists to describe the three months of December, January, and February – started on December 1. This description is used as a way to monitor weather patterns.

But the more commonly used astronomical winter starts much later. That day comes on the winter solstice.

What Will Winter Look Like for Chicago This Year?

According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s latest winter weather outlook for 2024-25, which says a “La Niña” winter is expected, which would ultimately result in a “wetter than normal” winter in the Great Lakes, especially in parts of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana.

According to Kevin Jeanes, the predictions are a far cry from the Chicago winter of 2023-24 – an El Niño winter – which wound up to be the fourth warmest winter on record. The winter precipitation outlook for the Chicago area is expected to be above average, Jeanes said.

For 2024-25, the big question will be whether or not temperatures will cause that precipitation to fall in the form of rain or snow. According to Jeanes, NOAA predicts “equal chances” of temperatures being above or below average. Across the Northwest, however, a much colder winter is expected, Jeanes noted.

Conclusion

As we approach the winter solstice, it’s essential to understand the different ways to define the start of winter. While meteorological winter has already begun, astronomical winter will officially start on December 21. In Chicago, a “La Niña” winter is expected, which may bring above-average precipitation. Whether that precipitation falls as rain or snow remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – winter is coming, and it’s essential to be prepared.

FAQs

Q: What is the winter solstice?

A: The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, marking the official start of winter. It typically falls on December 21 or December 22 in the Northern Hemisphere.

Q: When does meteorological winter start?

A: Meteorological winter started on December 1 and will continue until February 28 or February 29.

Q: What is a La Niña winter?

A: A La Niña winter is a winter that is characterized by a “La Niña” weather pattern, which is a natural climate phenomenon that affects global weather patterns. La Niña winters are often associated with above-average precipitation in the Great Lakes region.

Q: What is the winter precipitation outlook for Chicago?

A: According to Kevin Jeanes, the winter precipitation outlook for the Chicago area is expected to be above average. However, it’s unclear whether that precipitation will fall as rain or snow.