Two ways to define the start of the season
Both dates are valid; they refer to different season systems.
Astronomical Winter
The date shown is the UTC calendar date of the December solstice, which marks the start of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
Meteorological Winter
Meteorological winter begins on December 1 every year and covers December, January, and February in the Northern Hemisphere.
Which date should you use? Use the astronomical date when you mean the solstice- or equinox-based season. Use the meteorological date when you mean the fixed three-month season used for weather and climate records.
When Does Winter Start?
Astronomical Winter begins on Monday, December 21, 2026 in the selected timezone. Meteorological Winter begins on Tuesday, December 1, 2026. The first follows the astronomical season boundary; the second uses the fixed meteorological calendar.
Season Date & Planning Details
Astronomical Winter uses the solstice- or equinox-based seasonal boundary. The meteorological alternative is shown in the comparison above.
This seasonal boundary is not a public holiday.
Astronomical Winter Calendar (2026-2035)
| Year | Date | Day | Days Left | Weekend? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | December 21 | Mon | 126 days | No |
| 2027 | December 22 | Wed | 492 days | No |
| 2028 | December 21 | Thu | 857 days | No |
| 2029 | December 21 | Fri | 1222 days | No |
| 2030 | December 21 | Sat | 1587 days | Yes |
| 2031 | December 22 | Mon | 1953 days | No |
| 2032 | December 21 | Tue | 2318 days | No |
| 2033 | December 21 | Wed | 2683 days | No |
| 2034 | December 21 | Thu | 3048 days | No |
| 2035 | December 22 | Sat | 3414 days | Yes |
What is Winter Starts?
Winter does not have one universal start date. In the Northern Hemisphere, astronomical winter begins at the December solstice, while meteorological winter begins on December 1. The two definitions serve different calendar purposes, so the appropriate date depends on whether the question is about the solstice-based season or the fixed weather and climate season.
Calendar note
Astronomical winter follows the December solstice. Meteorological winter uses the fixed months of December, January, and February and therefore begins on December 1 every year in the Northern Hemisphere.
Date variation note
The astronomical dates in the main calendar use UTC. The December solstice occurs at the same moment worldwide, but its local calendar date can differ in some time zones.
Planning note
Use the December solstice for astronomical winter and December 1 for the meteorological definition used in seasonal weather and climate records.
Regional note
These winter dates refer to the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, the December solstice begins astronomical summer and December 1 begins meteorological summer.
Weather note
A seasonal boundary does not mean winter weather begins everywhere on that date. Local temperatures and conditions depend on location, elevation, and weather patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does winter start?
In the Northern Hemisphere, astronomical winter begins at the December solstice, while meteorological winter begins on December 1.
When does astronomical winter start in 2026?
The December solstice falls on December 21, 2026 in UTC, marking the start of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
Why does meteorological winter start on December 1?
Meteorological seasons use complete calendar months, so winter is grouped as December, January, and February in the Northern Hemisphere.
Is the first day of winter always December 21?
No. Astronomical winter follows the December solstice, which can fall on December 21 or December 22 in UTC. Meteorological winter always begins on December 1.
Which winter start date should I use?
Use the December solstice when referring to astronomical winter. Use December 1 for meteorological winter and fixed seasonal weather records.
Does winter start on the same date in the Southern Hemisphere?
No. The December solstice marks the start of astronomical summer in the Southern Hemisphere, and December 1 begins meteorological summer there.
More Upcoming Days
The astronomical countdown uses the selected timezone. The meteorological countdown uses its fixed calendar start date in the same timezone.