What is Winter Solstice and Does that Mean More Darkness for Amarillo?

You may be hearing that today, Tuesday, December 21st is the Winter Solstice.  You are probably asking yourself what exactly is the Winter Solstice and what does it mean and how does it effect me?

The Winter Solstice is the first day of winter and for some it may seem like a very depressing day.  The reason, it's the shortest day of the year with the longest night. This occurs because one of the Earth's poles is tilted farthest from the sun.  However with the darkness comes light, after today, little by little you will start to see more daylight and less darkness.

It also has to do with the Northern and Southern Hemispheres switching places, when it comes to getting the sun's most direct light and the heat.

Here in Amarillo the Winter Solstice occurs/occurred (depending on when you're reading this) at 9:59am.   Today will be 4 hours and 45 minutes shorter than the Summer Solstice in June.

Today might be the perfect day to get out and look at the Christmas lights since you'll have more darkness and less daylight.

I don't know about you but I do not like it getting dark so early.  I like it when the suns stays up until almost 9pm.  The sun brings happiness and vitamin D, the darkness brings depression.  I know a few people who love the fact that it gets dark so early, but I'm not one of them..

If you think this day will never seem to end, it eventually will, and more sun will find its way to us.   Maybe you can go to bed early.  In fact, I may go to bed early tonight.