Summary
The winter solstice is the day with the shortest daylight hours and the longest night in the northern hemisphere. In 2025, the winter solstice occurs on December 21 at 15:03. This event marks the beginning of astronomical winter.
Key Facts
- The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night in the northern hemisphere.
- In 2025, the winter solstice happens at 15:03 on December 21.
- The solstice is the moment when the Sun is directly above the Tropic of Capricorn.
- The Earth is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees, which affects sunlight distribution.
- After the winter solstice, the Sun begins to move north again.
- The date of the solstice can vary yearly due to the Earth's incomplete orbit around the Sun.
- In the UK, days are shorter the further north you are during the solstice.
- Meteorological winter starts on December 1, while astronomical winter starts with the solstice.
