December 21, 2024 – March 20, 2025
The first day of winter is the winter solstice, when the Earth’s tilt is farthest from the sun. It marks the start of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere and happens around December 21st or 22nd.
Winter lasts for about 89 to 93 days depending on the hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it begins on the winter solstice and ends on the vernal equinox. In the Southern Hemisphere, it begins on the vernal equinox and ends on the winter solstice.
Winter generally has fewer daylight hours than summer in the Northern Hemisphere, but the length of each season is about 89 to 93 days, regardless of hemisphere.
The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year and the longest night of the year in terms of daylight hours. It marks the beginning of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere, which usually occurs around December 21st or 22nd.
After the winter solstice, the days gradually become longer and the nights become shorter until the spring equinox, which marks the beginning of spring.
The length of the night in winter depends on your location and the specific day. During the winter solstice, the night is the longest of the year. In some regions, such as the far north, the night can last for up to 24 hours.
As the winter season progresses, the length of the night gradually decreases until the spring equinox.