About Winter 2026
Winter 2026 falls on Monday, December 21, 2026, 53 days from today. The first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere is the December solstice, the shortest day of the year. New York gets about 9 hours and 15 minutes of daylight, and north of the Arctic Circle the Sun does not rise at all.
The December solstice 2026 happens at 3:51 PM EST on Monday, December 21, 2026. Meteorologists use a simpler calendar: meteorological winter starts on December 1 and covers December, January and February.
- Date
- Monday, December 21, 2026
- Days left
- 53 (7 weeks and 4 days)
- Starts with
- The December solstice
- Exact time
- 3:51 PM EST
- Meteorological start
- December 1
- Southern Hemisphere
- Summer begins
How Many Days Until Winter 2026?
There are 53 days until winter 2026, counting from today, Thursday, October 29, 2026. That is 7 weeks and 4 days, with 8 weekends and 37 weekdays left.
Whole dates left, changing once a day at midnight.
Exact time left to the start of December 21, 2026, ticking every second.
Fix the two ends
Every count needs a start and an end. The start day itself is never counted.
Count each midnight crossed
Each square that lights up is one midnight passed. That is one day.
Split it into weeks and workdays
7 weeks and 4 days · 37 weekdays and 16 weekend days.
Read the answer
Winter (Dec 21, 2026) is 53 days away.
When Is Winter 2026?
Winter 2026 starts on Monday, December 21, 2026, the day of the December solstice. The date moves between December 21 and 22 in US time zones.
A calendar year has 365 days, but Earth takes about 365.24 days to circle the Sun. So the December solstice comes about 6 hours later each year, and every leap day pulls it back.
In the Southern Hemisphere the seasons are reversed: the December solstice starts summer in Australia, South Africa and Argentina. Winter 2027 starts on Tuesday, December 21, 2027.
How to Use the Winter Countdown
Winter starts at the shortest day of the year, and the days get longer from there. These are the dates that fill it.
- December 1
Meteorological winterHoliday lights go upWinter tires and coats - December 21
December solsticeShortest day of the yearDays start getting longer - December 25
ChristmasFamily timeGifts - January 1
New Year's DayA new year begins - January 15
Mid-JanuaryThe coldest weeks of the year in most of the US - March 20
March equinoxWinter endsSpring begins
The coldest stretch of the year in most of the US runs from mid-January to early February, a few weeks after the solstice.
Get outside in daylight when you can. Short days can affect mood and sleep, and morning light helps most.
Keep a scraper, blanket, phone charger and snacks in the car, and check tire pressure as it drops in the cold.
Seal drafty windows, keep the thermostat steady and let faucets drip on the coldest nights to stop pipes from freezing.
Winter Dates for the Next Five Years
Winter 2026 is Monday, December 21, 2026. Here are the dates through 2031, with the days left to each one.
| Year | Date | Weekday | Exact time (ET) | Days away |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | December 21, 2026 | Monday | 3:51 PM EST | 53 |
| 2027 | December 21, 2027 | Tuesday | 9:43 PM EST | 418 |
| 2028 | December 21, 2028 | Thursday | 3:21 AM EST | 784 |
| 2029 | December 21, 2029 | Friday | 9:15 AM EST | 1,149 |
| 2030 | December 21, 2030 | Saturday | 3:10 PM EST | 1,514 |
| 2031 | December 21, 2031 | Sunday | 8:57 PM EST | 1,879 |
Related Countdowns
These countdowns fall in or around winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does winter start in 2026?
Winter 2026 starts at the December solstice, 3:51 PM EST on Monday, December 21, 2026. In other US time zones it is the same moment, so subtract 1 hour for Central, 2 for Mountain and 3 for Pacific.
Why does the first day of winter change?
The calendar year and Earth's orbit don't line up exactly. The December solstice drifts about 6 hours later each year until a leap year resets it, so the date moves between December 21 and 22.
What is the difference between astronomical and meteorological winter?
Astronomical winter starts at the December solstice. Meteorological winter always starts on December 1 and covers December, January and February, which makes weather records easier to compare.
When does winter start in the Southern Hemisphere?
The seasons are reversed south of the equator. There the December solstice marks the first day of summer, and winter starts 6 months later.
Does this countdown use my local time zone?
Yes. The timer reads the time zone from your device and counts to midnight at the start of December 21, 2026 where you are.
Does the timer update without refreshing the page?
Yes. The seconds tick every second and the day count moves at your local midnight, with no refresh needed.
What happens when winter arrives?
On the day itself the countdown shows that winter is here. The next day it switches to winter 2027, Tuesday, December 21, 2027. The same link works every year.