Zip your coat up. Pull your hat down. And wrap your scarf all around. Winter is here! In 2023, the chilly season starts on December 21. Brrring it on!
The whole Northern is making the switch. Winter is starting in North America. And it begins in Europe, Asia, and northern Africa too. But why does an exact moment mark the start? It all has to do with the Earth’s tilt!
Each year, Earth makes one circle around the Sun. The planet spins with a tilt. Sometimes Earth's northern half tilts toward the Sun. The star’s rays give more heat to that half. Other times, the northern half tilts away. That brings on lower temperatures.
There is one special moment. The Northern Hemisphere tilts the farthest it ever goes from the Sun. This is called the winter solstice. It marks the start of winter. It happens on the day with the least daylight.
People celebrate the solstice. It has the longest night. In Iran, people honor this night at the Yalda festival. They stay up late and read poems. People eat red foods. Those include pomegranates.
In China, there is the Dongzhi festival. It celebrates that days will now get longer. The daylight is a symbol of positive energy. Families eat rice balls called tangyuan.
As winter continues, some people like to curl up with a good book. News-O-Matic users shared reads for the season. “I love reading,” Caitlin said. “I’ve read all of the Percy Jackson books!”
Liam added, “My favorite book to read in winter is Fgteev: Out of Time!” That’s a about gamers. And Layla shared, “I like the book Let’s Build a Snowman.”
It’s time for winter in the north. But the Southern Hemisphere is getting sun. December 21 is the start of summer there.
No matter what season you’re in, have a ball!
Updated December 20, 2023, 5:01 P.M. (ET)
By Ashley Morgan
