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About the winter countdown
How many days until winter? This page shows it live: days, hours, minutes and seconds until the first day of winter, on the clock of your own device. Open it and it counts — there is nothing to set.
It counts to the exact minute of the December solstice, the moment the sun is lowest in the northern sky — the shortest day of the year. You can also count to December 1 (meteorological winter) or, south of the equator, to the June solstice. Once winter has started, the board also tells you how many days of winter are left.
Features
- Live countdown — days, hours, minutes and seconds, updated every second
- To the exact solstice minute — worked out with astronomical formulas, shown in your own time zone
- Three kinds of winter — the December solstice, meteorological winter (December 1) or the Southern Hemisphere (June solstice)
- Days of winter left — during winter, see how many days are left until spring
- Sleeps — how many nights are left, for children who can't wait for snow
- Six wintry styles — Snowy night, Frosty blue, Cozy cabin, Pine forest, Northern lights and Minimal, with falling snow
- Dates for three years — the first day of winter this year and the next two
- Full screen and Keep the screen on — for a classroom, an office or a shop window
When is the first day of winter?
There are two ways to count it, and both are common:
- Astronomical winter starts on the December solstice — December 21 or 22 — and ends on the March equinox (about March 20). This is the "first day of winter" that calendars and the news use in the US. It is also the shortest day and the longest night of the year.
- Meteorological winter is the three coldest months: December 1 to the end of February. Weather services use it because whole months are easier to compare.
The solstice moment moves by about six hours each year and jumps back after a leap year, so the date changes between December 21 and December 22. These are the next ones (Eastern Time, New York):
| Year | First day of winter | Solstice time (New York) | Winter ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday, December 21, 2026 | 3:50 pm | March 20, 2027 |
| 2027 | Tuesday, December 21, 2027 | 9:42 pm | March 19, 2028 |
| 2028 | Thursday, December 21, 2028 | 3:20 am | March 20, 2029 |
| 2029 | Friday, December 21, 2029 | 9:14 am | March 20, 2030 |
| 2030 | Saturday, December 21, 2030 | 3:09 pm | March 20, 2031 |
| 2031 | Sunday, December 21, 2031 | 8:56 pm | March 19, 2032 |
In another time zone the solstice can fall on a different day: in 2027 it is still December 21 in New York but already December 22 in London.
Winter in the Southern Hemisphere
In Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South America the seasons are the other way round. Astronomical winter starts on the June solstice (June 20 or 21, or June 22 in Australia's time zones) and ends on the September equinox. In Australia, winter is usually counted from June 1. If you open this page in a southern time zone, it starts on the Southern Hemisphere choice.
| Year | First day of winter (south) | Solstice time (Sydney) |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Tuesday, June 22, 2027 | 12:10 am |
| 2028 | Wednesday, June 21, 2028 | 6:01 am |
| 2029 | Thursday, June 21, 2029 | 11:48 am |
Six wintry styles
- Snowy night — a dark blue sky over white snow
- Frosty blue — light ice blue with a thin frost pattern
- Cozy cabin — warm wood, a hot drink and a scarf
- Pine forest — deep green trees and fresh snow
- Northern lights — green and violet light over a night sky
- Minimal — plain and clean, in your page's light or dark colours
Ideas for the countdown
- Classroom — count the sleeps to winter break and the first day of winter
- Solstice party — the longest night is a good night for candles, hot chocolate and stars
- Snow days — show the board on a TV in the hall while you wait for the first snow
- Holidays — use the Christmas Countdown and the Hanukkah Countdown next to it
- Waiting for spring — once winter starts, the board shows how many days of winter are left
How to use it
- Open the page — the countdown starts by itself
- Pick a style: Snowy night, Frosty blue, Cozy cabin, Pine forest, Northern lights or Minimal
- Under Count down to, choose the December solstice, meteorological winter (December 1) or the Southern Hemisphere
- Turn the snow and the sound on or off
- Press Full screen to show it on a big screen; press Esc to go back
Frequently asked questions
How many days until winter?
The big numbers at the top of this page show it, live. By default they count to the December solstice, the official first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, in your own time zone.
When is the first day of winter 2026?
The December solstice is on Monday, December 21, 2026, at 20:50 UTC (3:50 pm in New York, 12:50 pm in Los Angeles). Meteorological winter starts on December 1, 2026.
Is the first day of winter December 1 or December 21?
Both are used. Weather services count winter from December 1 (meteorological winter). Astronomers and most calendars use the December solstice, on December 21 or 22. Pick either one under "Count down to".
Is the winter solstice the shortest day of the year?
Yes. In the Northern Hemisphere, the December solstice has the fewest hours of daylight and the longest night. After it, the days slowly get longer again.
How many days of winter are left?
During winter, the line under the countdown shows the days of winter left — until the March equinox, or until the end of February if you choose meteorological winter.
When does winter start in Australia?
In the Southern Hemisphere, astronomical winter starts on the June solstice (June 20, 21 or 22, depending on the time zone). Australia usually counts winter from June 1.
Related tools
- Christmas Countdown — days and sleeps until Christmas
- Hanukkah Countdown — days until the first candle
- New Year Countdown — to midnight, with fireworks
- Summer Countdown — days until the first day of summer
- Countdown to Date — count down to winter break or any day
- Printable Calendar — plan your winter on paper
