[ot, quick question] When does Winter start?

[RangerWickett]

What is the usual first day of winter, officially? Is it in November?

For that matter, could you fill me in on the various solstices and equinoxes, and the start of each season, please?

 

[whydirt]

Winter officially begins Dec 21 and is also a solstice

other seasons:

Spring: March 21 and is an equinox
Summer: June 21 (right before my birthday, yow!) and is a solstice
Fall: September 21 and is an equinox

 

[Eternalknight]

Winter officially begins Dec 21 and is also a solstice

other seasons:

Spring: March 21 and is an equinox
Summer: June 21 (right before my birthday, yow!) and is a solstice
Fall: September 21 and is an equinox

Interesting side note:

In Australia, Summer begins on December 1
Autumn March 1
Winter June 1
Spring Spetember 1

 

[haiiro]

I visited Australia years ago, and I remember some places celebrating Yulefest (as a sort of seasonal replacement for Christmas) during Australian winter -- i.e., sometime in June/July/August. Is that pretty universal all over the continent, or is it confined to a few places?

 

[Eternalknight]

I visited Australia years ago, and I remember some places celebrating Yulefest (as a sort of seasonal replacement for Christmas) during Australian winter -- i.e., sometime in June/July/August. Is that pretty universal all over the continent, or is it confined to a few places?

I'd say pretty isolated, although many schools, and some other places, like to do a sort of 'mid-year christmas' during winter, to simulate a northern holiday. It's mainly just for kids, and in areas where it may snow during that time (ie, not many).

 

[haiiro]

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

 

[Eternalknight]

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

Any time.

 

[Mercule]

Winter officially begins Dec 21 and is also a solstice

other seasons:

Spring: March 21 and is an equinox
Summer: June 21 (right before my birthday, yow!) and is a solstice
Fall: September 21 and is an equinox

The dates are actually variable by a day or two. The 21st is a good estimate, but not always perfectly accurate. For example, this year, March 20th was the vernal (spring) equinox.

In the southern hemisphere, obviously the seasons are reversed. And, apparently not based strictly on the solstices/equinoxes (at least in Australia).

 

[dravot]

Winter officially begins Dec 21 and is also a solstice

other seasons:

Spring: March 21 and is an equinox
Summer: June 21 (right before my birthday, yow!) and is a solstice
Fall: September 21 and is an equinox

An interesting side note...cross quarter days fall between solstices and equinoxes, and usually have some form of holiday associated with them:

Feb 1st - Groundhog day
May 1st - May Day
August 1st - Lammas, not really observed any more...now replaced with NFL Preseason
October 31st - Halloween/Nov 1st All Saints Day

 

[Zentermi]

A Feast of Crows.

Winter is coming...


At least I think so.