The 2024 winter solstice will occur on Saturday, December 21, marking the official start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. This event defines the shortest day and longest night of the year, when the sun reaches its lowest point at noon due to the Earth's tilt in its orbit.

Meanwhile, in the Southern Hemisphere, the summer solstice will take place, marking the longest day of the year. After the solstice, the days in the Northern Hemisphere will gradually lengthen until the longest day of the year arrives during the summer solstice in June. The winter solstice will begin at 4:20 a.m. Eastern Time. Although it is commonly believed to last all day, the event actually lasts only a moment.

It is important to note that while the astronomical winter begins on December 21, meteorological winter started on December 1, marking the three coldest months of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

You might also be interested in its Spanish version: Se aproxima “El día más corto del año”

Astronomical seasons are based on the Earth's tilt, while meteorological seasons align with annual temperature cycles.