Alabamians may have already dusted off their coats and heaters, but official winter doesn’t start until the winter solstice. That’s the astronomical signal that the days are at their shortest and the nights are at their longest.
What is winter solstice, and when does it begin? Here’s what to know.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere arrives on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at 10:03 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. For Alabama residents, that means the shortest day and longest night of the year will start at 9:03 a.m.
On the winter solstice in Alabam