Winter Solstice 2025: When is the shortest day of the year?
The Northern Hemisphere is today marking the winter solstice, the shortest day and the longest night of the year. While many have felt the chill of winter since the start of December, today represents the official astronomical start of the season.
In Moldova, the exact moment of the solstice will occur at 17:03 local time (15:03 GMT). For those in the region, the sun will be above the horizon for just 8 hours and 50 minutes, leaving a long night of over 15 hours.
The term solstice, derived from the Latin for "sun stands still," describes the moment the Earth's tilt reaches its furthest point from the sun. While we in the north settle into winter, the Southern Hemisphere is simultaneously welcoming the start of summer.
Beyond science, the day carries cultural weight. Traditional folklore suggests that the solstice is a time for togetherness; spending the moment alone is said to invite a year of solitude.
From tomorrow, the cycle turns. The days will begin to lengthen imperceptibly, a slow march towards the summer solstice in June 2026.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
