Winter Solstice 2025: The astronomical start of winter and the shortest day of the year

Engineer Majed Abu Zahra, head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, announced that Sunday, December 21, 2025, marks the official astronomical start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. This announcement coincides with the winter solstice, when the sun's rays are directly overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn, south of the equator, marking its southernmost apparent inclination in its annual journey—a cosmic event that reshapes the perception of time and weather.

The winter solstice phenomenon scientifically

Abu Zahra explained that this time is a pivotal moment in the astronomical calendar, as the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky at noon for those living in the Northern Hemisphere. This astronomical alignment results in the shortest daylight hours and longest nights of the entire year. He emphasized the correction of common misconceptions, asserting that the temperature and changing seasons are unrelated to the Earth's proximity to or distance from the sun. Rather, they are a direct result of the Earth's axial tilt of 23.5 degrees, which serves as conclusive scientific evidence of the Earth's spherical shape and its regular rotation.

The gradual shift and the beginning of longer days

The head of the Astronomical Society announced the beginning of a new phase of temporal shift; once the winter solstice passes today, daylight hours will gradually increase starting tomorrow, while the length of the night will decrease, in a precise cosmic cycle reflecting the regular movement of celestial bodies. This increase in daylight hours will continue until the spring equinox next March.

Historical and climatic importance

Historically, the winter solstice held great significance for ancient civilizations. Many cultures considered it a "rebirth of the sun" and the beginning of a new life and growth, using it to regulate agricultural calendars and harvest and sowing seasons. Climatically, experts point to a phenomenon known as "seasonal delay," where the winter solstice marks the astronomical start of winter, but it doesn't necessarily mean it's the coldest day of the year. Temperatures often drop further in the following weeks as the earth gradually loses stored heat, increasing the likelihood of cloud formation and rainfall in the Arab region.

A golden season for astronomy enthusiasts

In closing, Abu Zahra urged astronomy and natural phenomenon enthusiasts to take advantage of the long, cold winter nights, noting that this season is considered the "golden season" for astronomical observation. This is due to the clear atmosphere and low humidity and dust levels, which give the sky exceptional transparency, allowing for the viewing of bright stars such as Orion and Sirius, as well as observing nebulae and meteor showers with exceptional clarity not available in other seasons.