Sat Dec 21 18:33:09 UTC 2024: ## Winter Officially Arrives: Solstice Marks Longest Night, Shortest Day
**[City, State] –** Winter officially began today, December 21st, 2024, at 4:21 a.m. EST, marking the winter solstice. This astronomical event, which occurs when the Earth’s axis is tilted furthest from the sun, brings the longest night and shortest day of the year to the Northern Hemisphere. While temperatures may already reflect the season’s chill, the solstice officially signals the start of winter.
Although the solstice itself is a precise moment, it heralds the beginning of winter and the gradual return of longer days. The exact date of the solstice varies slightly each year, typically falling between December 20th and 23rd, due to the Earth’s orbital path. This year’s solstice falls on a Saturday.
Winter in the Northern Hemisphere will continue until March 20th, 2025.
First Piper 