December 21, 2024 – As winter deepens, today marks the winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This astronomical event occurs when the Earth’s axial tilt is farthest from the Sun, resulting in reduced daylight hours and an extended period of darkness.
In Pakistan, daylight will span just over 10 hours, with cities like Islamabad experiencing sunrise at 7:13 AM and sunset at 5:03 PM. The solstice also signals the official start of winter, with temperatures expected to plummet further in the coming weeks.
On this day, cultures worldwide celebrate the solstice with traditions symbolizing renewal and the eventual return of longer days. The next significant shift in daylight hours will occur with the spring equinox in March 2025.
Bundle up and enjoy the magic of the longest night!
