Chicago, Illinois – The winter solstice occurred Sunday morning in Chicago, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, the solstice took place at approximately 9:03 a.m. Sunday. The event signals the official start of astronomical winter and the point when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted farthest away from the sun.
Forecasters said Chicago experienced about 9 hours, 7 minutes, and 44 seconds of daylight on the solstice, the least of any day this year. While the change is subtle at first, daylight will begin increasing by a few seconds starting Monday.
The winter solstice does not necessarily mark the coldest period of the season. Historically, the coldest temperatures often occur weeks after the solstice, as winter weather patterns continue to evolve.
Astronomical winter is based on the Earth’s position relative to the sun, while meteorological winter began Dec. 1 and is used for climate tracking and seasonal statistics.
Despite the short daylight, the solstice represents a turning point, with gradually lengthening afternoons leading toward the summer solstice in June.
For commuters, students, and early-morning workers, morning darkness will persist for several weeks, though slightly brighter afternoons will become more noticeable later in January.
The National Weather Service noted that while days are now slowly getting longer, winter weather hazards can still increase as the season progresses.
