What You Need To Know
- The winter solstice is a time and not a day
- This year, the solstice will occur at 4:21 a.m. ET on Dec. 21
- The solstice is when the Northern Hemisphere’s tilt away from the sun is at its maximum
The Tilt of the Earth
The tilt of the Earth to the sun is the reason we have our seasons. Believe it or not, the Earth is closer to the sun during our winter.
It’s Earth’s tilt that gives us our season. During the winter solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is at its maximum tilt away from the sun, putting the sun at a lower elevation.
We also get the shortest day and longest night of the year on the winter solstice.
This year, our winter solstice occurs at 4:21 a.m. ET on Dec. 21. If you’re not a fan of the shorter days, don’t worry. After Dec. 21, the days gradually get longer until the summer solstice on June 20, 2025.
The Science of Weather
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
Conclusion
The winter solstice marks the official start of winter, and it’s a time to appreciate the beauty of the Earth’s tilt. As we welcome the shorter days and longer nights, we can take comfort in knowing that the days will gradually get longer again. And who knows, maybe you’ll even find a silver lining in the winter weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the winter solstice?
A: The winter solstice is the time when the Northern Hemisphere’s tilt away from the sun is at its maximum, marking the official start of winter.
Q: When is the winter solstice this year?
A: The winter solstice will occur on December 21 at 4:21 a.m. ET.
Q: Why do we have seasons?
A: The Earth’s tilt relative to the sun causes the changing seasons. The closer we are to the sun, the warmer it is, and the farther away, the colder it is.
Q: How long will the days stay short?
A: After the winter solstice, the days will gradually get longer until the summer solstice on June 20, 2025.
