It’s a perfect time to stay in and get snuggly (Picture: Getty)
The cold has set in, and we’re dashing right towards Christmas.
While the magic of the festive period is undeniable – with weekends spent watching our favourite movies and counting down to family and friend reunions – winter isn’t all smooth sailing.
For a start, there’s the shortest day of the year – during which we get the least amount of daylight and the longest period of darkness, pushing people into the winter blues.
Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming Winter Solstice…
When does Winter 2022 officially begin?
The first day of winter depends on which winter you are talking about – the meteorological winter or the astronomical winter.
The start of winter is not that simple… (Picture: Getty)
The meterological definition of the seasons is based on the calendar, and splits them up into three month periods.
The meteorological winter always begins on December 1 and ends on the last day of February.
However, the astronomical winter is based on the earth’s axis and how it orbits around the sun.
In 2022, the astronomical winter will begin on December 21 and will end on March 20, 2023.
The astronomical winter also decides the equinoxes and solstices.
When is the shortest day of the year?
Winter is nearly here… (Picture: Getty)
In 2022, the shortest day of the year falls on Wednesday, December 21 – the beginning of the astronomical winter.
The shortest day will see us getting just seven hours, 49 minutes, and 42 seconds of daylight in London.
However, the exact amount of daylight you’ll get depends on where you are in the country (only by a matter of minutes though).
While this might seem like bad news, it’s not entirely – as the days will start getting a little longer and the nights a little shorter from this point on.
The mornings and nights will start to get lighter after December 21 (Picture: Getty)
The amount of extra daylight will be negligible at first, and you can expect it to be a while before you notice much difference.
This all continues until Sunday, March 27 in 2022, when the clocks once again go forward and British Summer Time begins.
The summer solstice, which occurs on June 21, is 8 hours, 48 minutes, and 38 seconds longer than the winter solstice.
MORE : Three changes you should make to your skincare routine this winter
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The nights are drawing in.
