Home / Editor's Pick /

Winter solstice explained: Lighter days are coming!

13:30
22 December 2023

Winter solstice explained
Lighter days are coming!

winter solstice

Astronomical winter officially begins today, on the winter solstice, but what does that mean?

While the winter solstice is widely known as the shortest day of the year, did you know that it actually happens at a precise time in the day, but not at the same time every year?

This year the winter solstice in London for example, was at 03:27 on Friday 22nd December 2023. In terms of daylight, this day is a whopping 8 hours and 49 minutes shorter than the June solstice.

This means our days will now get longer and lighter!

The winter solstice may also not occur on the same date. Although the December 21st is the most common, it can happen anytime between December 20th-23rd .

Last year, the winter solstice occurred at 9:48pm on 21st December instead. The last winter solstice on December 23rd was in 1903. This date won't happen again until 2303.

Nacreous clouds in winterread more
Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
Tuesday 27 May 2025

Potentially stormy night

Chance of early morning thunderstorms
Monday 26 May 2025

Bank Holiday outlook

Wind warnings and widespread rain
Saturday 24 May 2025

Bank holiday outlook

Rain turns showery as winds grow
All weather news
This might also interest you
Tuesday 20 May 2025

Breakfast brief

More storms for Ireland, showers in UK
Friday 30 May 2025

Breakfast brief

Much drier but some wind warnings remain
Wednesday 7 May 2025

Onshore breeze a factor

Cool Northeast, balmy Southwest
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info