Start: When Does Winter Technically

It starts when the Earth's axis is tilted furthest away from the sun. In the Northern Hemisphere, this usually occurs between December 20 and 23 .

This year, it officially begins in the Northern Hemisphere on Monday, December 21, 2026, at 3:50 P.M. EST . This date is marked by the winter solstice , which is the shortest day of the year. when does winter technically start

Meteorologists and climatologists divide the year into four equal seasons of three months each for easier record-keeping. Meteorological Versus Astronomical Seasons | News It starts when the Earth's axis is tilted

There is a third, less common definition often used regarding daylight. when does winter technically start