The shortest day of the year has arrived, as announced by the National Weather Service (NWS) Midland, marking the winter solstice.
According to a post by NWS Midland, the Winter Solstice signifies the beginning of winter and the shortest day of the year. Residents can expect just over 10 hours and three minutes of daylight today, with sunset anticipated at 5:48 p.m.
The NWS explains that the winter solstice is characterized by the shortest period of daylight between sunrise and sunset each year, resulting in the longest night. This occurs when the sun is directly above the Tropic of Capricorn, a line of latitude south of the equator. The farther north one is located, the shorter the day will be; within the Arctic Circle, there will be no sunrise at all.
Temperatures around Midland this weekend are expected to be mild for winter's official start. "Southerly winds will bring above normal temperatures to the area today and tonight with highs in the 60s and 70s and lows in the 30s and 40s," wrote NWS Midland on X.