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Winter is on its way in the UK, as the nights draw in and Christmas displays begin to appear in shops. But when does the season officially begin? There are two ways to define the season; meteorological and astronomical. Meteorologically, winter starts on December 1st and lasts until the last day of February. Astronomical winter, on the other hand, begins on the winter solstice, which is typically December 21st, and ends on March 20th.
Meteorologists use three-month periods to define the seasons, making it easier to compare year-on-year. They define winter as the three coldest months in the northern hemisphere, which are December, January, and February. Astronomical seasons, on the other hand, are based on the position of the Earth in relation to the Sun. The winter solstice marks the point in the year when the northern hemisphere is tilted the furthest away from the Sun, resulting in the shortest day and fewest hours of daylight.
While winters in the UK used to bring snow and freezing temperatures, in recent years, they have become milder and snow-free. In February 2019, England and Wales were treated to an exceptional spell of warmth with temperatures exceeding 20°C more than once. In January 2023, many European nations experienced all-time high temperatures, with Warsaw in Poland reaching 19°C. This is a trend that has been observed globally, with 2023 being the warmest year on record.
Despite climate change making mild winters more common, extreme cold spells and snowfall are still possible in the UK. In 2018, the Beast from the East brought freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall, lasting well into meteorological spring. However, a warming world means winter precipitation is more likely to fall as rain than snow.
In conclusion, depending on the definition used, winter in the UK can start on December 1st or on the winter solstice, which typically falls on December 21st. While winters used to bring freezing temperatures and snow, mild and snow-free winters are becoming more common due to climate change. However, extreme cold spells and snowfall are still possible, but winter precipitation is more likely to fall as rain in a warming world
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