How Many Days Until Winter?
Live countdown to the astronomical start of Winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
Time Breakdown
- • Total Months: ~4.1 months
- • Total Weeks: 17.7 weeks
- • Business Days Left: 88
- • Target Day: Monday
Northern Hemisphere Note
This countdown tracks the Northern Hemisphere winter solstice. In the Southern Hemisphere, this exact same astronomical moment marks the start of Summer, its longest day of the year, not the shortest.
What Marks the Start of Astronomical Winter
The winter solstice is the moment the Northern Hemisphere is tilted furthest away from the sun, making it the shortest day and longest night of the year there. From this point, days slowly begin lengthening again on their way toward the Spring Equinox.
Why the Exact Date Shifts Year to Year
A calendar year runs 365 days, but Earth's actual orbit takes about 365.24 days. That extra quarter day means the solstice lands roughly six hours later each year until a leap year adds a day back and resets it earlier. That's why Winter typically starts on December 21 or 22 rather than a perfectly fixed date.
Astronomical vs. Meteorological Winter
This page uses the astronomical definition, tied to the solstice. Meteorological Winter is fixed as December 1 through February 28 or 29 every year, based on the twelve month calendar rather than Earth's orbital position, used mainly for consistent climate and weather record keeping.
December 2026 Calendar View
Frequently Asked Questions
Monday, December 21, 2026, at 3:50 p.m. Eastern Time, marking the winter solstice.
No. This is the Northern Hemisphere winter solstice. At the same moment, the Southern Hemisphere is experiencing its summer solstice, its longest day of the year.
Because a calendar year and Earth's orbital year aren't exactly the same length, the solstice drifts by about six hours annually and resets with each leap year, keeping it within a two day range rather than one fixed date.
Astronomical Winter is tied to the solstice and its exact date shifts slightly year to year. Meteorological Winter is fixed as December 1 through February 28 or 29 every year, used mainly for consistent climate record keeping.