How Many Days Until Winter?
Counting to the December solstice. After it, the days start getting longer again.
When is Winter?
Astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere starts at the December solstice, usually December 21–22, the shortest day of the year. Meteorological winter starts December 1.
The countdown uses your device’s clock and time zone and reaches zero at 00:00 local time on the day. The day count is in calendar days: on the day before, it reads 1.
Questions people ask
Is the first day of winter the shortest day?
Yes, in the Northern Hemisphere the December solstice has the least daylight of the year.
When does meteorological winter start?
December 1, running to the end of February.
Why the date wobbles
Astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere starts at the December solstice, usually December 21–22, the shortest day of the year. Meteorological winter starts December 1.
Weekday it lands on, next 10 years.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday, December 21, 2026 |
| 2027 | Wednesday, December 22, 2027 |
| 2028 | Thursday, December 21, 2028 |
| 2029 | Friday, December 21, 2029 |
| 2030 | Saturday, December 21, 2030 |
| 2031 | Monday, December 22, 2031 |
| 2032 | Tuesday, December 21, 2032 |
| 2033 | Wednesday, December 21, 2033 |
| 2034 | Thursday, December 21, 2034 |
| 2035 | Saturday, December 22, 2035 |