It may feel like winter has arrived this week, but the official start to the season is still days away.
The winter solstice in the northern hemisphere falls on Dec. 21. In Michigan, it technically arrives at 4:20 a.m. that day.
The solstice marks the shortest day of the year and the official start of winter. Unofficially, it’s the day Michigan residents start looking forward to days getting longer and, eventually, spring.
Here’s a look at the solstice.
What is the solstice?
There are actually two solstices, according to the National Weather Service.
The summer solstice marks the longest day and most sunlight of the year in the northern hemisphere. The winter solstice is the start of winter and the shortest day with the least sunlight.
The summer solstice occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer, which is located at 23.5 degrees latitude North and runs through Mexico, the Bahamas, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, India, and southern China.
The winter solstice occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, which is located at 23.5 degrees south of the equator and runs through Australia, Chile, southern Brazil, and northern South Africa.
The days have always been important, leading many civilizations over millennia to build calendars to track the solstices.
When will the sun rise, set in Michigan?
In mid-Michigan, in the Lansing area, the sun will rise at 8:03 a.m. on Dec. 21 and set at 5:09 p.m., allowing just 9 hours, 5 minutes of daylight.
In Sault Ste. Marie, in the UP, the sun rises at 8:16 a.m. and sets at 4:54 p.m., providing just 8 hours, 38 minutes of sunlight.
Why does the position of the sun change in the sky with the seasons?
The Earth is tilted on its axis, meaning it does not spin exactly straight “up and down,” but instead one pole or the other points more directly at the sun as the planet orbits.
The seasons are caused by the Earth being tilted on its axis by an average of 23.5 degrees (Earth’s tilt on its axis actually varies from near 22 degrees to 24.5 degrees).
Can I tell when it’s the solstice in other ways?
If it’s sunny outside, you can stand outside at noon and observe your shadow; it will be the longest of the year at noon. On the summer solstice, you will have almost no shadow.
Where does the word ‘solstice’ come from?
The word solstice comes from the Latin word “sol,” for sun, and sistere, “to stand still” because the sun’s path across the sky appears to stand still for a few days before and after the solstice.
Is the solstice the coldest day in Michigan?
No. The National Weather Service says the coldest days in Michigan tend to fall in January and February, depending upon where you are in the state.
When is the summer solstice?
In 2025, the solstice happens at 10:42 p.m. June 20.
What is the equinox?
The equinox is when the hemispheres receive about the same amount of light as the Earth orbits the sun, the National Weather Service said.
What does ‘equinox’ mean?
The word equinox is derived from Latin words “aequus” or equal, and nox or night. At the equator, the sun is directly overhead at noon on these two equinoxes.
When is the next equinox?
The spring or vernal equinox in 2025 takes place at 11:06 p.m. March 19.