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In the Northern Hemisphere, winter starts on December 1 by the meteorological calendar, or at the December solstice by the astronomical calendar. In 2026, that solstice occurs on December 21 at 20:50 Universal Time (UT). In the Southern Hemisphere, winter starts June 1 meteorologically or at the June solstice astronomically.
Why winter has two start dates
“Winter starts” can refer to two different seasonal calendars. Neither is the single universally correct date: meteorological seasons group whole months for climate and weather records, while astronomical seasons begin at solstices and equinoxes as Earth moves in relation to the Sun. NOAA explains the distinction in its Changing seasons overview; NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information notes that meteorological seasons align more closely with the civil calendar in Meteorological Versus Astronomical Seasons.
| Convention | Northern Hemisphere winter starts | Southern Hemisphere winter starts | What determines it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meteorological | December 1 | June 1 | Three whole calendar months grouped according to the annual temperature cycle, useful for comparing climate and weather records. |
| Astronomical | December solstice | June solstice | The solstice; its exact date and time vary by year and local time zone. |
When does winter start in 2026?
Northern Hemisphere
Meteorological winter begins December 1, 2026. Astronomical winter begins at the December solstice, which the U.S. Naval Observatory lists as December 21, 2026, at 20:50 UT in its 2026 seasonal data. That is a Universal Time instant, not a local clock-time claim: the displayed local time and, in some time zones, the calendar date may differ. Convert the instant for the location in question before giving a local date or time.
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Seasons are hemisphere-dependent, as the U.S. Naval Observatory explains in Earth’s Seasons. Southern Hemisphere meteorological winter begins June 1; astronomical winter begins at the June solstice. The December solstice is the start of astronomical summer there, not winter.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the winter solstice means
At the December solstice, the Northern Hemisphere has its shortest daylight period and longest night of the year; the Southern Hemisphere is in summer. The solstice is an astronomical marker, not a forecast of when cold weather will begin. A region’s coldest conditions do not necessarily arrive on the solstice, as the National Weather Service explains in The Astronomical Seasons.
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Which date should you use?
- For climate or weather records: use the meteorological calendar—December through February in the Northern Hemisphere, June through August in the Southern Hemisphere.
- For the astronomical season: use the relevant hemisphere’s solstice, stating the year and time zone when giving an exact time.
- For a local calendar or event: convert the solstice instant to the location’s time zone; do not assume the Universal Time date is the local date.
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