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Icicles hang off the State Highway 195 sign on Feb. 18, 2021 in Killeen, Texas.<\/p>\n
Joe Raedle\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
It\u2019s officially winter<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 and, as of Sunday morning, both meteorologists and\u00a0astronomers agree. But while we tend to associate the changing of the seasons with certain weather patterns, Austinites know that\u2019s not always the case. In fact, the likelihood of a white Christmas<\/a> is relatively low\u00a0across the U.S.<\/p>\n But regardless of whatever Austin weather<\/a> is doing, the shift out of daylight saving time<\/a>, the release of\u00a0holiday menus<\/a>, and the dreaded return of winter vomiting disease<\/a> all indicate winter is upon us. Here\u2019s what to know about the season and why it has two \u201cstart\u201d dates.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Texas faces a near-record warm, dry Christmas:\u00a0How will the rest of the country fare?<\/a><\/p>\n When does winter start in 2025? Date of winter solstice, longest night of the year 2025<\/p>\n Astronomical winter<\/a> began on Sunday, Dec. 21, which is also the winter solstice.<\/p>\n The winter solstice varies by year, between Dec. 20 and Dec. 23. It marks the shortest day and longest night in the Northern Hemisphere, when the North Pole is tilted the farthest away from the sun in Earth\u2019s orbit. In 2025, the farthest point will be reached at\u00a09:03 a.m. CT on Dec. 21.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n After the winter solstice, the days will gradually lengthen again.<\/p>\n Is it going to snow this winter in Texas?\u00a0What Old Farmer\u2019s Almanac weather outlook says<\/a><\/p>\n When does winter end?<\/p>\n We\u2019re in for roughly three months of winter in the Northern Hemisphere before it ends on March 20, 2026.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The Capitol’s south steps are covered in half a foot of rare snow after an overnight winter storm blew into Central Texas in February 2021.<\/p>\n Bob Daemmrich\/CapitolPressPhoto<\/p>\n What winter actually looks like in Austin<\/p>\n Winter may officially arrive with the solstice, but in Central Texas it rarely comes with snow<\/a> or freezing temperatures.<\/p>\n In Austin, average daytime highs in late December typically hover in the low 60s, according to American-Statesman meteorologist Mary Wasson.<\/a>\u00a0This year, temperatures are expected to climb into the middle to upper 70s around the holiday period, with mornings starting near 60 degrees and cloudy skies giving way to afternoon sun.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n If the forecast holds, this stretch could rank among the warmest late-December periods in Austin\u2019s history. The hottest Christmas Day on record reached 90 degrees in 1955, and highs have reached 80 degrees several times since \u2014 most recently in 2016. As recently as 2021, temperatures reached 79 degrees on Dec. 25.<\/p>\n That would stand out compared with recent winters, when late-December highs reached 60 degrees in 2024, 57 degrees in 2023 and 54 degrees in 2022.<\/p>\n Why astronomers, meteorologists have different dates for seasons<\/p>\n It\u2019s true! If you ask an astronomer and a meteorologist when the first day of winter is, you\u2019ll get two different answers.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Astronomical seasons, which you\u2019re likely more familiar with, are measured by Earth\u2019s position in relation to the sun. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explains<\/a> meteorological seasons, on the other hand, are based on the annual temperature cycle. Both versions still have four seasons lasting roughly three months each.<\/p>\n SeasonAstronomical dates 2025Meteorological dates 2025SpringMarch 20\u00a0\u2014 June 19March 1\u00a0\u2014 May 31SummerJune 20\u00a0\u2014 September 21June 1\u00a0\u2014 August 31FallSeptember 22\u00a0\u2014 December 20September 1\u00a0\u2014 November 30WinterDecember 21\u00a0\u2014 March 19, 2026December 1\u00a0\u2014 February 28, 2026<\/p>\n Norovirus is another sign winter has arrived<\/p>\n Creative layout featuring 3D renderings of norovirus virus-like particles (VLPs), generated from electron microscopy, and a transmission electron micrograph of norovirus particles in the background<\/p>\n NIH-NIAID\/Image Point FR\/BSIP\/Universal Images Group via Getty Images<\/p>\n A type of norovirus commonly referred to as \u201cwinter vomiting disease<\/a>\u201d began spreading earlier than usual this season, prompting words of caution from health officials ahead of the holiday season.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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