Winter Countdown
Northern Hemisphere
89 days until winter
until winter
Monday, December 21, 2026 at 8:50 PM UTC
75% of the way from the last one
- 12 weeks
- 2,146 hours
- 13 weekends
89 days until winter
Share the countdown
Embed this countdown on a website, in Notion or in OBS
Paste this HTML where the countdown should appear — in an HTML or “Embed code” block on WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, Google Sites or your own page.
Preview
When does winter start in 2026?
The December solstice starts winter in the Northern Hemisphere on Monday, December 21, 2026 at 3:50 PM EST (December 21, 20:50 UTC). The clock counts down to that minute and shows it in your own time zone.
- The December solstice brings the Northern Hemisphere's shortest day and longest night; after it, the days start getting longer again.
- The first day of winter falls on December 21 or 22, depending on the year and your time zone.
- In the Southern Hemisphere it is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.
First day of winter for the next five years
| Year | US Eastern | UTC |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Mon, Dec 21, 3:50 PM EST | Dec 21, 20:50 |
| 2027 | Tue, Dec 21, 9:42 PM EST | Dec 22, 02:42 |
| 2028 | Thu, Dec 21, 3:20 AM EST | Dec 21, 08:20 |
| 2029 | Fri, Dec 21, 9:14 AM EST | Dec 21, 14:14 |
| 2030 | Sat, Dec 21, 3:09 PM EST | Dec 21, 20:09 |
Frequently asked questions
How many days until winter 2026?
There are 89 days until winter on Monday, December 21, 2026. The countdown above shows the exact days, hours, minutes and seconds, and updates live in your time zone.
When is the first day of winter 2026?
The first day of winter 2026 is Monday, December 21, 2026: the December solstice arrives at 3:50 PM EST, which is December 21, 20:50 UTC.
Does the season start at the same moment everywhere?
Yes. An equinox or solstice is a single instant for the whole planet, so the countdown reaches zero at the same moment for everyone. The date and time it shows are in your own time zone, which is why the first day of a season can be a day apart in the Americas and in Asia.
What is the difference between astronomical and meteorological winter?
Astronomical winter starts at the December solstice, which moves by a few hours each year. Meteorologists use whole months instead: meteorological winter runs from December 1 to the end of February, which keeps seasonal weather records comparable.