Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada experienced its most significant single-day snowfall since the start of records in 1937, accumulating 46 cm , 18 in, in total.
Meteorologists typically identify winter as the three months on the calendar that have the lowest average temperatures. People dress in special attire (adorn their homes with fruits and vegetables), and light unique candles during this period. The winter solstice features the year’s shortest day and the longest night. The December solstice marks the onset of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Each year on December 21st or 22nd, the winter solstice occurs in the Northern Hemisphere, characterized by the least hours of daylight.
The winter solstice is significant across cultures, signaling the changing of the seasons. Winter months usually comprise December, January, and February. Winter may still be months away—but the forecast has already begun. Whether that happens this winter remains one of the many questions we’ll continue monitoring over the months ahead. Hades tricked Persephone into eating the food of the dead, so Zeus decreed that she spend six months with Demeter and six months with Hades. This corresponds to the months of December (January and February in the Northern Hemisphere), and June, July and August in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Winter usually commences in June and lasts until September in the Southern Hemisphere, where conditions are reversed.
- This event signifies the beginning of the winter season in both hemispheres.
- The Danish Meteorological Institute in Nuuk recorded a preliminary average temperature of 0.2 °C , 32.4 °F, during January, setting the warmest January on record.
Late November–early December winter storms
Early on the morning of November 29, the storm had exited the Plains region. On the night of November 27, a storm entered the Pacific Northwest and reached the Rockies by November 28. As the extratropical remnants of Halong neared Western Alaska — flood and high wind watches were issued, bringing hurricane-strength winds to the Bering Sea. Later that afternoon — the cyclone traversed into the southern Bering Sea before heading north along Alaska’s western coastline on October 12.
We keep an eye on activity on the Sun because it’s one of several natural patterns we monitor as we prepare our long-range forecasts. A month later — it was announced that she would be the ambassador of the South Korean cosmetics brand Espoir, another brand owned by Amorepacific Corporation after Mamonde, https://lifesratchet.com and eventually became their global ambassador. Winter was trained vocally by SM Entertainment’s in-house vocal coaches, including Yoo Young-jin who was a longtime producer of the agency before his departure in 2023. Growing up in a family with several members in the armed forces (including her father (older brother), and other relatives), she originally considered a career in this field. It is one of six seasons recognized by most ecologists who customarily use the term hibernal for this period of the year (the other ecological seasons being prevernal (vernal), estival, serotinal, and autumnal). In another astronomical reckoning, winter begins at the winter solstice and ends at the March equinox.
Early November lake-effect snow
So (what is the winter solstice), and why does it happen? In 2026 (the winter solstice date is Monday), December 21. Winter Blues is a kind of seasonal depression that people experience with the arrival of Winter. In the Southern Hemisphere — the conditions are reversed and Winter usually begins in the month of June and remains till September. Preorder your copy now to receive the 2027 edition as soon as it’s released.
The temperature and precipitation outlooks reflected the likelihood of a weak La Niña pattern that would continue during most of the winter. Based on the astronomical definition (winter begins at the winter solstice), which in 2025 occurred on December 21, and ends at the March equinox, which in 2026 occurred on March 20. The 4 seasons show us a time for growth. Yes, it’s cold and dark but this makes the upcoming seasons that much brighter and more colorful.
Freeport in the Bahamas recorded its coldest high temperature ever on February 1, reaching 51 °F , 11 °C,. By early afternoon on November 29, the Iowa State Patrol aided nearly 200 individuals from ditches while a pileup involving 45 vehicles took place on I-70 in Indiana. In the Stanley Park area of Kitchener, Ontario, snow accumulation of 33 centimeters (13 in) was reported. Fort Dodge recorded 16.5 inches , 42 cm, of snow, while snowfall in New England diminished as the system progressed into southeastern Canada and the Maritimes. O’Hare International Airport in Chicago set a new record for the snowiest November day — receiving 8.4 inches (21 cm), marking the second highest single-day total since January 1, 2015.
The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year. Is it also the coldest?
It’s where we share the season in greater detail—month by month, region by region. The full Winter 2026–2027 outlook, along with our complete 12-month weather forecast, will appear in The 2027 Old Farmer’s Almanac. When it does (colder Arctic air can spill farther south), bringing outbreaks of wintry weather to parts of the United States.
This is a good sign and I hope it stays cold below 20 degrees for at least a month. All of that said, I should really love all of the seasons, because that is how Nature takes care of our lovely blue marble in space! We wish our entire Almanac community a beautiful — cozy, magical, and safe winter season! In warmer regions (the winter temperatures become very mild or cool), and southern destinations such as Florida fill up with people escaping the harshness of northern winters. Other people dislike the frigid temperatures, ice, and wild weather , for good reason,.
Spring 2026 Weather Forecast From The Old Farmer’s Almanac
Both definitions involve a period of approximately three months, with some variability. The 3 months of shortest days began around November 5th, centred on the solstice. Winter began on December 1st, the start of the 3 coldest months. The day of the winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, which means that it’s the day in which we experience the least amount of daylight.
Many locales, including Mobile, Alabama at 32 °F (0 °C) on March 17 and Birmingham, Alabama at 27 °F , −3 °C,, established daily record lows following the storm. On March 14, over 100 crashes were reported by the Minnesota State Patrol, with 21 resulting in injuries and one being fatal. From Washington state to Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (widespread winter weather alerts), including blizzard warnings and winter storm warnings, were issued. Strong gusts in northern Ohio and Greater Pittsburgh on March 13 led to significant power outages. Heavy snowfall was concentrated mainly in mountainous areas, where winter storm warnings were issued, with accumulations exceeding 1–2 feet , 12–24 in; 30–61 cm,, the highest being 26 inches (66 cm).
Following the winter solstice (the Sun’s trajectory begins to move northward again), ultimately reaching its highest point on the summer solstice. On the winter solstice — we are angled at the maximum distance from the Sun, resulting in the Sun’s path being at its lowest point in the sky. Ancient cultures marked the solstice with massive stone structures, such as Newgrange in Ireland. It is the precise moment when one hemisphere is tilted to the greatest extent away from the Sun. While we often perceive the winter solstice as an all-day event, it actually lasts for just a brief moment. When one hemisphere celebrates its winter solstice, the other simultaneously observes its summer solstice!
Liberty Utilities in Northern California reported that strong winds caused trees and power lines to fall — resulting in damage to some of their equipment. As the system advanced into central Canada later that day, snowfall diminished over the Upper Midwest. Two late-season winter storms impacted the Upper Midwest during the first week of April, contributing to one of the snowiest seasons recorded in that area.