You may notice that the winter solstice is not always on the exact same day (e.g., it might be Dec 21 one year and Dec 22 the next). This is because the Earth's orbit around the sun takes approximately 365.25 days. Because our calendar is 365 days, we accumulate a quarter-day of "extra" time every year, causing the solstice to shift slightly until a Leap Year (Feb 29) realigns the calendar.
If you live in these regions, winter almost always begins in . However, the specific day depends on which calendar you use: winter begins in what month
Here’s a short, informative piece of content you can use for a blog, social media post, or educational material: You may notice that the winter solstice is
| Region | Meteorological Start | Astronomical Start (Solstice) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | December 1 | Dec 20–23 | | Southern Hemisphere | June 1 | June 20–22 | If you live in these regions, winter almost always begins in
In the Northern Hemisphere, starts on the December solstice —the shortest day and longest night of the year.
, but the exact date depends on whether you use the calendar for science or for the stars. Florida Center for Instructional Technology +1 1. Two Ways to Define Winter There are two main systems used to determine the start of winter: 13 sites Winter - the coldest season - Met Office Meteorological winter. The season's start is always on 1 December and it ends on the last day of February (28th or 29th in a leap ... Met Office December: Winter Begins | FCIT December: Winter Begins. On what date in December does winter begin? Well, that depends on whom you ask. In the Northern Hemispher... Florida Center for Instructional Technology When Does Winter Start? - American Red Cross Dec 3, 2025 —
The First Day of Winter: Winter Solstice 2026 - Farmer's Almanac