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Winter Arrives: When is the 2025 Winter Solstice?
2 Dec
Summary
- Winter officially begins on December 21, 2025, marking the winter solstice.
- The winter solstice signifies the shortest day and longest night of the year.
- Winter in the Northern Hemisphere lasts until March 20, 2026.
The official start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere is December 21, 2025, coinciding with the winter solstice. This celestial event typically occurs between December 21-22 and signifies the moment the Northern Hemisphere is tilted furthest from the sun. Consequently, this day experiences the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year.
The winter solstice is a term derived from the Latin words for 'sun' and 'to stop,' poetically meaning 'the sun stands still.' This astronomical marker heralds the beginning of winter, which will persist until March 20, 2026. On this date, the vernal equinox will usher in the season of spring.
While the Northern Hemisphere braces for winter, the opposite season unfolds in the Southern Hemisphere. During the Northern Hemisphere's winter solstice, countries in the south, such as Australia and Brazil, experience summer. This phenomenon is a direct result of the Earth's 23.5-degree axial tilt.
