Today marks the winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year for the Southern Hemisphere. As daylight hours reach their annual minimum, millions across Australia, New Zealand, and neighboring regions are waking up to chilly temperatures, foggy mornings, and early sunsets.
In Sydney, the sun rose just before 7 AM and will set by 4:55 PM, offering fewer than 10 hours of daylight. Hobart, Tasmania, experienced even less — with just over 9 hours of sun. The solstice occurs as the Earth’s southern axis tilts furthest away from the Sun.
A cold front sweeping across southeastern Australia has intensified the winter feel, with New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania experiencing frosty mornings and near-freezing temperatures. Meteorologists are also forecasting a second front that could bring strong winds and rain to some regions this weekend.
Despite the chill, the winter solstice marks a turning point in the season. From tomorrow onward, the days will slowly begin to lengthen again, leading up to the summer solstice in December.
“A quick walk in the morning sun can help reset your body clock,” said Dr. Liane Porter, a sleep health researcher. Experts advise people to make the most of limited daylight to maintain healthy sleep cycles and boost mood.
Meanwhile, in the Northern Hemisphere, today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, marking the official start of astronomical summer.