DaysUntil
winter

How Many Days Until Winter?

Next Winter: Monday, December 21, 2026. The live clock below uses your timezone, including year rollover after the local day ends.

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Counting in your browser timezone…

Winter begins at the December solstice, the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, when the sun sits at its lowest noon height. In most years it falls on December 21 or 22. We aim the clock at that Eastern calendar date, and once it passes where you are, the next solstice takes over. Meteorologists count December 1 as day one, so the cold season often feels underway weeks before the astronomers agree. Expect the day count to look short here compared with spring or summer, since this is the closest season change on the calendar right now.

FAQ

When is the first day of winter?
The astronomical first day of winter is the December solstice — next on Monday, December 21, 2026, then Tuesday, December 21, 2027. It falls on the 21st or 22nd in most years, depending on the exact moment and your timezone. We count to the end of that Eastern calendar date in your browser's local time. In the Southern Hemisphere this is the first day of summer, so travelers heading south for the holidays are crossing into the opposite season.
Why is the earliest sunset before the solstice?
The sun's daily arc does not line up exactly with clock time, so at mid-northern latitudes the earliest sunset comes in early December, about two weeks before the solstice. The latest sunrise does not arrive until early January. The solstice marks the shortest total daylight, not the earliest evening.
Is winter the coldest season right after the solstice?
No. The sun starts climbing again, but land and ocean keep losing more heat than they gain for several weeks, so January and early February are usually colder than December. That gap is called seasonal lag, and it is why winter starts on the calendar while the deepest cold arrives later. Snow-heavy regions often see their biggest storms in January or February, well after the solstice has passed.
Does winter start on December 1 or the solstice?
Both, depending on who is counting. Weather agencies use December through February so cold-season statistics line up cleanly. Astronomers use the solstice. This page counts to the solstice, since that is the date on most calendars, and the answer shown in search engines for this question.
Is the holiday season the same as winter?
Only loosely. Christmas comes a few days after the solstice, but shopping seasons start in November, and school breaks vary by district. If you want a countdown to a specific day, use the Christmas page or set your own date. The solstice page tracks the astronomical start of the season only.

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