What is Winter?
Winter begins, by the astronomers’ calendar, on the December solstice, the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. After it the days slowly grow longer again.
When is Winter?
The December solstice falls on the 21st or 22nd of December. The countdown is to that day, in the northern hemisphere; south of the equator it is the longest day and the start of summer.
Ways to mark the day
- Light candles on the longest night.
- Plan a winter trip, to the mountains or somewhere warm.
- Make hot chocolate and watch the snow, where there is any.
How the countdown works
The date is worked out for every year, so the clock always counts down to the next one. It counts on your own device’s time and reaches zero at midnight where you are. Full screen puts it on a classroom board or a big screen, and Your own event counts down to a date of your own instead.