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Date Published: 17/12/2024

Winter in Spain officially starts this weekend with the shortest day of the year

A season of short days and long nights kicks off in Spain this coming Saturday December 21

Christmas is almost upon us, and it's bringing a chill to the air and a sense of anticipation. While it might feel like winter has already arrived with the recent drop in temperatures, the official start is still a few days away.

According to the National Astronomical Observatory, winter 2024 in Spain begins on Saturday December 21 at 10.21am when the winter solstice occurs. This marks the shortest day of the year and the official beginning of the coldest season.

Although it may feel never-ending, winter is actually the shortest season of the year and according to the National Geographic Institute, winter 2024/2025 will last just 88 days and 23 hours.

This is because the Earth's orbit around the sun is elliptical and during winter, our planet is closest to the Sun, causing it to move faster. As a result, winter ends earlier, making way for the longer days of spring, which begins on March 20.

What is the Winter Solstice?

The winter solstice is a fascinating astronomical event. It's the moment when the Sun reaches its lowest point on the horizon, resulting in the shortest day and the longest night of the year.

On December 21, the sun will rise later and set earlier than any other day, but from that point on, the days will gradually become longer and by the end of the year, we will have gained an extra minute of daylight.

This all means more sunshine and less darkness, a welcome change as we move through the season.

Winter Solstice vs Equinox

It's also worth noting the difference between the winter solstice and the equinox.

During the solstice, the Earth's tilt away from the Sun is at its maximum, leading to the shortest day.

In contrast, the equinox, which occurs in spring and autumn, is when the duration of daylight is equal to the duration of the night. This phenomenon is caused by the Earth's axial tilt, which affects how much sunlight different parts of the planet receive.

Ready for a fun fact? The winter solstice can fall on different dates depending on the year. In 2080, it will occur on December 20 and way back in 1903, it even fell on December 23. This variability is due to the Earth's elliptical orbit and the way our calendar aligns with the solar year.

You might also like: Aemet predicts the weather in Spain this winter after torrential autumn

Image: Freepik

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