The date of the winter solstice varies from year to year, and can fall anywhere between December 20 and December 23, with the 21st and 22nd being the most common dates. The reason for this is because the tropical year—the time it takes for the sun to return to the same spot relative to Earth—is different from the calendar year. The next solstice occurring on December 20 will not happen until 2080, and the next December 23 solstice will not occur until 2303. This year the solstice is on December 21st for us in the EST but to our west it is on December 22nd in the CST. Not only does the solstice occur on a specific day, but it also occurs at a specific time of day, corresponding to the instant the North Pole is aimed furthest away from the sun on the 23.5 degree tilt of the Earth’s axis.
As you know daylight hours grow shorter and shorter as the winter solstice approaches, and begin to slowly lengthen afterward. It’s no wonder that the day of the solstice is referred to in some cultures as the “shortest day of the year” or “extreme of winter.” Grand Rapids will experience 9 hours, 0 minutes and 31 seconds of sunlight, compared to 15 hours and 21 minutes and 26 seconds on the summer solstice. Helsinki, Finland, will get 5 hours and 49 minutes of light. Barrow, Alaska, will not have a sunrise at all (and hasn’t since mid-November; its next sunrise will be on January 22), while the North Pole has had no sunrise since October. The South Pole, though, will be basking in the glow of the midnight sun, which won’t set until March.
Solstice derives from the Latin scientific term solstitium, containing sol, which means “sun,” and the past participle stem of sistere, meaning “to make stand.” This comes from the fact that the sun’s position in the sky relative to the horizon at noon, which increases and decreases throughout the year, appears to pause in the days surrounding the solstice. In modern times, we view the phenomenon of the solstice from the position of space, and of the Earth relative to the sun. Earlier people, however, were thinking about the sun’s trajectory, how long it stayed in the sky and what sort of light it cast.
Stonehenge, lines up with the winter solstice sunrise. Some have theorized that the position of the sun was of religious significance to the people who built Stonehenge, while other theories hold that the monument is constructed along natural features that happen to align with it. The purpose of Stonehenge is still subject to debate, but its importance on Stonehenge, lines up with the winter solstice sunrise. Some have theorized that the position of the sun was of religious significance to the people who built Stonehenge, while other theories hold that the monument is constructed along natural features that happen to align with it. The purpose of Stonehenge is still subject to debate, but its importance on the winter solstice continues into the modern era, as thousands of hippies, pagans, and other types of enthusiasts gather there every year to celebrate the occasion. Continues into the modern era, as thousands of people, pagans, and other types of enthusiasts gather there every year to celebrate the occasion.
While the winter solstice is the calendar start of winter for us here in Michigan winter has been ongoing since late November. The average high/ low at Grand Rapids at this time of the year is 33/22. The warmest it has been is 60 in 1967 on the 21st and 60 in 2015 on the 23rd the coldest is -11 in 1989 and 1951 had the most snow of the ground with 15”
Slim
Loving this weather.. Above normal temps for the next several days.. Some people will never face the facts. Lol !!
All signs point to fantastic WARMTH well into January!! BRING IT!!!
Let’s look at the FACTS, December is gonna end up as another Above average temp Month, with well below average snowfall!! Talk about heaven of earth!!
Wow!!! Mid 40’s to possibly 50 all week!!! Unbelievable WARMTH for this time of year!! Up to 45 degrees today!!!! Who Knew?!??!?
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=42.9664&lon=-85.6719#.Xf53BiROmEc
Over 40 by noon already. Took all of 2 days for one failed prediction of no 40’s. From Thursday…..
…But yes 50’s will not happen probably no 40’s eather darn…INDY..
Lol that would be for Christmas day! More false input from berry go figure …INDY …
Good luck next time!
Perfect warm sunny winter weekend and for weeks on end!! Who wouldn’t want a warm and sunny December and January?!??!
7 out of the next 8 days 40+ degrees! WOOD says chance of 50’s in West Michigan. Looks like winter will not resume for weeks. By then, days will be longer, temps start rising into spring. I love short winters!
89 days till spring not to bad …INDY..
Good morning and welcome to the start of the calendar winter. The start of the “official” winter season will be on the mild side. The little snow we have on the ground will be long gone before Christmas and this year will be the 2nd Christmas in a row (we did have snow later in the day last year) and the 6th Christmas in the last 10 that have be green. As the average chances of a white Christmas here at Grand Rapids is at 65% we have not been doing good the last 10. The pattern we are now… Read more »
This is me slim on my phone for a test
Slim
BIG Daddy showing up around the 29th of December on the GFS MODLE then behind that cold cold and cold .. Amazing we go warm for a few days and some say ohhh it’s going to stay warm now through January that cracks me up! January February and March will be above snowfall and below normal in temps that’s a INDY promise welcome to Winter my friends…Have a great Saturday …INDY
Keep the snow facts coming!
Welcome to winter! Our average temperatures continue to fall for weeks on end! Winter will be slamming us soon and who wouldn’t want cold and snow in winter in MI?
Get ready for a wild winter! All signs still point towards a cold and snowy winter! Bring it on!
Good read Slim. Love the fact we’ve been gaining light in the evening now for almost 2 weeks, you can tell it’s staying light longer now. Coupled with the mild temps and no snow, feels like Spring has sprung already.