At 8:03 a.m. MST (7:03 a.m. PST), the Northern Hemisphere officially tilts into winter with the arrival of the winter solstice, the astronomical event that marks the shortest day and longest night of the year.
The winter solstice occurs when Earth’s axial tilt positions the Northern Hemisphere farthest away from the sun. As a result, the sun follows its lowest and shortest path across the sky, bringing minimal daylight to northern regions.
While today represents the darkest day of the year in terms of daylight hours, it also signals a turning point. Beginning tomorrow, daylight will gradually increase each day, offering a subtle but steady return of longer afternoons as winter progresses.
The winter solstice has long held cultural and seasonal significance across the world, symbolizing both the start of astronomical winter and the gradual renewal of light. Despite colder temperatures ahead, the lengthening days are often seen as a hopeful milestone for many communities in northern latitudes.
Also Read: Winter Solstice Celebrations in Anchorage Bring Festive Cheer
Residents are encouraged to stay safe during winter conditions and take note of the slowly increasing daylight in the days to come.
