Today is the winter solstice and 2024’s shortest day. Here’s what to know about the official start of winter.

The 2024 winter solstice, the shortest day of the yr, occurs on Saturday, Dec. 21, within the Northern Hemisphere. The celestial occasion signifies the primary day of winter, astronomically. 

What’s the winter solstice?

The winter solstice is the day every year that has the shortest interval of daylight between dawn and sundown, and subsequently the longest evening. It occurs when the solar is straight above the Tropic of Capricorn, a line of latitude that circles the globe south of the equator, the Nationwide Climate Service explains. 

The farther north you might be, the shorter the day can be, and within the Arctic Circle, the solar will not rise in any respect. 

How is the day of the winter solstice decided?

The winter solstice happens due to the Earth’s tilt because it rotates across the solar. 

When the Northern Hemisphere tilts away from the solar, the nights last more. The longest evening occurs on the solstice as a result of the hemisphere is in its furthest place from the solar. That happens every year on Dec. 21 or 22. 

This yr, it falls on Dec. 21 at 4:21 a.m ET, to be exact.

On the summer season solstice, when the northern tilt is closest to the solar, we have now the longest day, often June 20 or 21.

The solstices usually are not at all times precisely on the twenty first yearly as a result of the earth’s rotation across the solar is 365.25 days, as an alternative of 365 even. 

Will days begin getting longer after the winter solstice?

Sure. Every day after the solstice, we get one minute extra of daylight. It would not sound like a lot, however after simply two months, or round 60 days, we’ll be seeing about an hour extra of daylight. 

When will winter formally be over in 2025?

The meteorological winter ends on March 20, 2025. Then, spring will final till June 20, when the summer season solstice arrives. 

How is the winter solstice celebrated all over the world?

Nations and cultures all over the world have celebrated the solstice since historical occasions with various rituals and traditions. The affect of these solstice traditions can nonetheless be seen in our celebrations of holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah, Britannica notes.

The traditional Roman Saturnalia competition celebrated the top of the planting season and has shut ties with modern-day Christmas. It honored Saturn, the god of harvest and farming. The multiple-day affair had a number of meals, video games and celebrations. Presents got to youngsters and the poor, and slaves had been allowed to cease working. 

Gatherings are held yearly at Stonehenge, a monumental circle of large stones in England that dates again about 5,000 years. The origins of Stonehenge are shrouded in thriller, however it was constructed to align with the solar on solstice days. 

The Hopi, a Native American tribe within the northern Arizona space, have a good time the winter solstice with dancing, purification and typically gift-giving. A sacred ritual generally known as the Soyal Ceremony marks the annual milestone.

In Peru, folks honor the return of the solar god on the winter solstice. The traditional custom can be to carry sacrificial ceremonies, however right this moment, folks maintain mock sacrifices to have a good time. As a result of Peru is within the Southern Hemisphere, their winter solstice occurs in June, when the Northern Hemisphere is marking its summer season solstice.

Scandinavia celebrates St. Lucia’s Day, a competition of lights. 

The “arrival of winter,” or Dong Zhi, is a Chinese language competition the place household gathers to have a good time the yr thus far. Conventional meals embrace tang yuan, candy rice balls with a black sesame filling. It is believed to have its origins in post-harvest celebrations. 

Researchers stationed in in Antarctica even have their very own traditions, which can embrace an icy plunge into the polar waters. They have a good time “midwinter” with festive meals, films and typically do-it-yourself presents.