It is starting to feel an awfully lot like winter in Tennessee, but we aren’t quite there yet…astronomically speaking.
Meteorologically, winter started Dec. 1. But many recognize the winter solstice on Dec. 21, as the first true day of winter in the northern hemisphere, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.
And while people may argue which is the true first day of winter, we can all agree the days are a bit chillier and nighttime is coming way too early these days. But don’t worry, soon we will be past the shortest day of the year.
Here’s everything you need to know about the first day of winter, the winter solstice and just what kind of weather Tennessee could expect in the winter months heading into 2025.
When is the winter solstice 2024?
The winter solstice falls on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 4:19 a.m. ET/3:19 a.m. CT.
When is the shortest day of the year?
Dec. 21, 2024, also happens to be the shortest day and the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.
How much daylight will Tennessee see on Dec. 21, 2024?
Leading up to Dec. 21, days will continue to grow shorter and the nights longer. On the day of the winter solstice communities across Tennessee will see around 9 hours and 41 minutes of light, with sunrise starting around 6:54 a.m. and sunset around 4:36 p.m., according to timeanddate.com.
This will fluctuate across the state but not by much, just a few minutes here and there.
Will Tennessee see snow this winter?
People in East Tennessee have already started seen some snow ahead of the first day of winter, but the mountains might be one of the few places in Tennessee to see snow this winter.
“This winter, temperatures will be up and snowfall down throughout most of the United States,” reports Carol Connare, the Farmers Almanac’s editor-in-chief. “While there will still be plenty of chilly temperatures and snow for most slopes, the high heating costs associated with the season shouldn’t hit so hard. We’re predicting a temperate, uneventful winter—potentially a welcome reprieve from the extremes of recent years.”
There can be exceptions to this of course as weather patterns change.
What will the weather be like in Tennessee this winter?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration winter weather outlook shows Tennesseans can expect a slightly warmer than average winter heading into December 2024 and January and February of 2025. The cause of these expected warmer temperatures? La Niña conditions.
During La Niña conditions, the South can usually expect warmer temperatures and less precipitation. While those further north can expect cooler temps and a stormy winter.
For Tennessee, there is a 33–40% chance temperatures will be warmer than usual during the winter months, according to the report.
