Discover the Date of Winter Solstice: Asheville’s Longest Day
TL/DR –
The winter solstice, marking the shortest day of the year, occurred on December 21 in the Northern Hemisphere. The solstice happens when the Earth is tilted as far away from the sun as possible, causing the sun to be directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, 23.5 degrees south of the equator. In Asheville, the days will gradually become longer starting from December 22 until June 21, which is the summer solstice and the longest day of the year.
Understanding the winter solstice in Asheville
The winter solstice on Dec. 21, the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, is often perceived as the longest night of the year. This guide provides insights about this year’s winter solstice.
Date and time of the winter solstice
The winter solstice initiates the astronomical winter on Dec. 21 in the Northern Hemisphere. In Asheville, sunrise will occur at 7:34 a.m. and sunset at 5:22 p.m., making this the shortest day of the year with 9 hours, 47 minutes, and 48 seconds of daylight, according to Sunrise-Sunset.
Definition of the winter solstice
The winter solstice is when Earth is tilted as far away from the sun as possible, marking the beginning of astronomical winter. This event occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, which is 23.5 degrees south of the equator, as noted by the National Weather Service and the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
When will the days get longer?
Starting Dec. 22 through June 21, the days will lengthen in Asheville. June 21 is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Expect temperatures to reach 57 degrees on Dec. 21 with partly sunny conditions and light winds, dipping to 34 degrees in the evening.
Origin of the term ‘solstice’
The term ‘solstice’ is derived from the Latin words ‘sol’, meaning ‘sun’, and ‘sistere’, meaning ‘to stand still’, signifying that the sun appears to stand still in the sky around noontime before and after the solstice, as explained in the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Solstice celebrations in Asheville
Conserving Carolina is organizing a walk to Hooker Falls in DuPont State Recreational Forest. If you can’t join, consider this easy hike on your own, but remember to bring a flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries. This 10,000-acre state forest with over 80 miles of roads and hiking trails is a popular destination with stunning waterfalls and is open year-round.
You may also view the sunset at Bearwallow Mountain in Henderson County, a trail managed by Conserving Carolina. This one-mile trail leads to a mountain bald with a height of 4,232 feet, offering extensive views of the night sky. Remember to take a flashlight for this nighttime hike.
—
Read More US News; North Carolina News