When does winter start in Arizona? Everything to know about the winter solstice 2023

Starbucks has pulled out their holiday drinks and it’s getting cooling off. Soon turkeys will be stuffed, holiday decorations will go up and Christmas trees will be decorated. So, does that mean winter is here?

In Phoenix, we won't be shoveling our driveways or cleaning snow off cars. So how do we know when winter starts?

Some signs include the days getting shorter and a drop in temperature. However, there is a more straightforward answer, which includes an explanation of the astronomical and meteorological first day of winter.

Here's everything to know about when winter starts and what the winter solstice is.

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When does winter start?

That depends on who you ask. Meteorologists have one set of dates for when winter starts and ends and astronomers have another set.

What is the difference between meteorological winter and astronomical winter?

The astronomical start date of winter is based on the sun’s position in relation to Earth. The meteorological start date is based on our 12-month calendar and the annual temperature cycle, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac.

So, this year astronomical winter starts on Dec. 21, 2023, and ends on March 19, 2024.

Meteorological winter starts on Dec. 1 and runs through the end of February.

Is November considered winter?

By both meteorological and astronomical definitions, November is not considered winter.

What is the shortest day of the year?

The shortest day of the year typically falls on the winter solstice, which will be on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.

When is the winter solstice?

The winter solstice occurs on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, and it marks the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. This day has the fewest hours of sunlight in the entire year. According to timeanddate.com, the sunrise on Dec. 21 in Phoenix is predicted to be at 7:28 a.m. and the sunset is going to be at 5:24 p.m., meaning there will be about 9 hours and 56 minutes of daylight.

After the winter solstice, the days will grow longer again until the summer solstice according to the Farmer's Almanac.

Why is it called the winter solstice?

The word solstice comes from the Latin word sol, for “sun,” and sistere, which means “to stand still.” This loosely translates to “sun stands still.” During the days before and after the solstice, the sun’s path across the sky appears as if it’s frozen or standing still.

What causes the winter solstice?

The winter solstice is the beginning of astronomical winter. It is caused by the Earth’s tilted axis so that half of Earth is pointed away from the sun and the other half is pointed towards it.

The sun’s path across the sky on the winter solstice is as low as it can be, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. This means less sunlight reaches Earth.

What are 3 facts about winter solstice?

The first fact is that on the winter solstice, if you stand outside around noon and look at your shadow it will be the longest one you will see all year due to the sun’s low arc, the Farmer’s Almanac says.

Second, humans have observed the winter solstice from as early as the Neolithic period, which is the last part of the Stone Age and began around 10,200 BC, according the History.com.

Third, there were many ancient solstice celebrations. This includes Saturnalia by the ancient Romans, Yule and St. Lucia's Day in Scandinavia, Inti Raymi throughout the Incan empire, Dong Zhi in China, Toji in Japan, an Iranian festival called Shab-e Yalda and Native American traditions like the Hopi solstice celebration of Soyal.

What month does it get cold in Arizona?

The coldest month in Arizona is usually January, which has had a record high of 62 degrees Fahrenheit and a record low of 43.1 degrees Fahrenheit in Phoenix according to the National Weather Service.

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Does Arizona get all four seasons?

Parts of Arizona experience four distinct seasons — mountainous areas such as in Flagstaff, Williams and Eagar-Springerville, to name a few.

Last winter Flagstaff experienced a record snowfall with over 146.7 inches, and the city's highest temperature of 2023 came on July 19, reaching 96 degrees.

These parts of Arizona also have distinct spring and fall seasons with flowers blooming and leaves changing colors.

When does winter end?

Astronomical winter ends on March 19, 2024.

Meteorological winter ends on Feb. 29, 2024.

Reach the reporter at dina.kaur@arizonarepublic.com. Follow @dina_kaur on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Winter solstice 2023: Here's when winter starts and ends