THE DAY OF WINTER SOLSTICE

21st of December is the day of winter solstice. Astronomical winter begins exactly at 12: 44 Bulgarian local time. The day of the winter solstice is the shortest of the year with a duration of 9 hours and 2 minutes.

Winter is one of the four seasons in the temperate zone. The others are spring, summer and autumn.

Astronomically, the winter starts with the winter solstice – around 21st of December in the Northern Hemisphere, and around 21st of June - in the Southern Hemisphere. Winter ends with the spring equinox, about 21st of March in the Northern Hemisphere and around 23rd of September - in the Southern Hemisphere.

In winter, the days are shorter and their duration depends on the latitude. Low temperatures are typical for the winter season and there are significant snowfalls in areas further away from the equator.