For the (North America, Europe, Asia, Northern Africa), winter begins on these dates in 2026: Meteorological Winter: Sunday, December 1. Astronomical Winter: Monday, December 21 at 3:50 PM EST.
This version of winter is defined by the Earth's orbit and tilt . The is the exact moment when one hemisphere is tilted furthest away from the Sun, resulting in the shortest day and longest night of the year. Northern Hemisphere: Usually falls on December 21 or 22. Southern Hemisphere: Usually falls on June 20 or 21. 2. Meteorological Winter (The Weather Cycle) when does the winter start
The question "When does winter start?" seems simple, but the answer is surprisingly complex. Depending on whether you ask a meteorologist, an astronomer, or a poet, winter can begin on three completely different dates. For the (North America, Europe, Asia, Northern Africa),
In the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are reversed, and winter starts on . This is the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, which marks the shortest day of the year. The is the exact moment when one hemisphere