SUMMER SOLSTICE 2019: THE FIRST DAY OF SUMMER
by Cindi Sutter, Chief Communicator & Editor of Spirited Table® - Content By The Editors of the Old Farmer’s Almanac
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR
The June solstice 2019—the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere—will occur on June 21. Here’s what you need to know about the longest day of the year—plus more solstice facts.
WHEN IS THE SUMMER SOLSTICE?
In 2019, the June solstice will occur on Friday, June 21, at 11:54 A.M. EDT. This date marks the official beginning of summer as the Northern Hemisphere angles itself at the point in its orbit closest to the sun, causing the longest day and shortest night of the calendar year. By longest “day,” we mean the longest period of sunlight.
YearSummer Solstice (Northern Hemisphere)
2019 Friday, June 21
2020 Saturday, June 20
2021 Sunday, June 20
2022 Tuesday, June 21
WHAT IS THE SUMMER SOLSTICE?
In the Northern Hemisphere, the June solstice (aka summer solstice) occurs when the Sun reaches both its highest and northernmost points in the sky. It marks the start of summer in the northern half of the globe. (In contrast, the June solstice in the Southern Hemisphere is when the Sun is at its lowest point in the sky, marking the start of winter.)
The word “solstice” comes from Latin solstitium—from sol (Sun) and stitium (still or stopped), reflecting the fact that on the solstice, the Sun appears to stop moving in the sky as it reaches its northern- or southernmost point. After the solstice, the Sun appears to reverse course and head back in the opposite direction.
The timing of the June solstice is not based on a specific calendar date or time; it all depends on when the Sun reaches its northernmost point from the equator. Therefore, the solstice won’t always occur on the same day. Currently, it shifts between June 20, 21, and 22.
The Summer Solstice is the day with the longest period of sunlight. Notice how the Sun appears highest in the sky at the solstice; its rays strike Earth at a more direct angle, causing the efficient warming we call summer. Because the sun is highest in the sky on this day, you’ll notice that your shadow (at noon) is the shortest it will be all year.
For those who live in the Southern Hemisphere, this is the shortest day of the year and marks the arrival of winter.
See 7 fun facts about the June solstice!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: IS THE SUMMER SOLSTICE THE FIRST DAY OF SUMMER?
A: Yes and no… Technically, it depends on whether we’re speaking about the meteorological or astronomical start of the season. Most meteorologists divide the year into four seasons based on the months and the temperature cycle, which allows them to compare and organize climate data more easily. In this system, summer begins on June 1 and ends on August 31. Therefore, the summer solstice is not considered to be the first day of summer, meteorologically speaking.
Astronomically, however, the first day of summer is said to be when the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky, which occurs on the summer solstice (June 20–22). Therefore, the summer solstice is considered to be the first day of summer, astronomically speaking.
As an almanac, which is defined as a “calendar of the heavens,” we prefer to follow the astronomical interpretation of the seasons and do consider the first day of summer to coincide with the summer solstice. That being said, you may choose to follow whichever system you like best!
Q: IS THE SUMMER SOLSTICE THE LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR?
A: Yes! As spring ends and summer begins, the daily periods of sunlight lengthen to their longest on the solstice, then begin to shorten again.
On the solstice, the Sun is at its highest point in the sky and it takes longer for it to rise and to set. (Notice: When the Sun appears highest in the sky near the summer solstice, the full Moon opposite the Sun generally appears lowest in the sky!)
On the winter solstice, just the opposite occurs: The Sun is at its lowest in the sky. At this time, its rays hit part of Earth at an oblique angle, creating the feeble winter sunlight.
Use our handy sunrise and sunset calculator to figure out how many hours of sunlight you’ll get in your location on the solstice!
Q: WHY DOESN’T THE SUMMER SOLSTICE FALL ON THE SAME DATE EACH YEAR?
A: No, the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere ranges in date from June 20 to 22. This occurs in part because of the difference between the Gregorian calendar system, which normally has 365 days, and the tropical year (how long it takes Earth to orbit the Sun once), which has about 365.242199 days. To compensate for the missing fraction of days, the Gregorian calendar adds a leap day about every 4 years, which makes the date for summer jump backward. However, the date also changes because of other influences, such as the gravitational pull from the Moon and planets, as well as the slight wobble in Earth’s rotation.
Q: WHY ISN’T THE SUMMER SOLSTICE—THE LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR—ALSO THE HOTTEST DAY OF THE YEAR?
A: Earth’s atmosphere, land, and oceans absorb part of the incoming energy from the Sun and store it, releasing it back as heat at various rates. Water is slower to heat (or cool) than air or land. At the summer solstice, the Northern Hemisphere receives the most energy (highest intensity) from the Sun due to the angle of sunlight and day length. However, the land and oceans are still relatively cool, due to spring’s temperatures, so the maximum heating effect on air temperature is not felt just yet. Eventually, the land and, especially, oceans will release stored heat from the summer solstice back into the atmosphere. This usually results in the year’s hottest temperatures appearing in late July, August, or later, depending on latitude and other factors. This effect is called seasonal temperature lag.
Q: WHAT IS MIDSUMMER DAY (JUNE 24)?
A: Historically, this day was the midpoint of the growing season, halfway between planting and harvest. It is traditionally known as one of four “quarter days” in some cultures. Folks celebrated by feasting, dancing, singing, and preparing for the hot summer days ahead. Read more about the ancient Quarter Days!
SOLSTICE FUN FACTS
THE SOLSTICE DOES NOT BRING THE EARLIEST SUNRISE
The earliest sunrises of the year occur about a week before the summer solstice. In 2019, the earliest sunrises of the year occur on Thursday and Friday, June 13 and 14 (at 5:42:11 AM EDT).
The reason for the timing of sunrises is related to the length of day—which is longer than 24 hours in June—and the inclination of the Earth’s rotational axis.
The latest sunrises of the year will occur after the solstice on Friday and Saturday, June 28 and 29, 2019 (at 7:37 PM EDT).
THE SUN SETS MORE SLOWLY AT THE SOLSTICE
Did you know that the Sun actually sets more slowly around the time of a solstice, in that it takes longer to set below the horizon? This is related to the angle of the setting Sun. The farther the Sun sets from due west along the horizon, the shallower the angle of the setting Sun. (Conversely, it’s faster at or near the equinoxes.) Bottom-line, enjoy those long romantic summertime sunsets at or near the solstice!
See sunrise and sunset times for your area.
SEASONS ON OTHER PLANETS
Mercury has virtually no tilt (less than ⅓0th of a degree) relative to the plane of its orbit, and therefore does not experience true seasons.
Uranus is tilted by almost 98 degrees and has seasons that last 21 years.
See rise/set times for all the planets!
SOLSTICE TRADITIONS
Many cultures, both ancient and modern, celebrate the sunlight with rituals and holidays.
Every year on the summer solstice, thousands of people travel to Wiltshire, England, to Stonehenge—a mysterious prehistoric monument. See more about this ancient site.
In Sweden, people traditionally celebrated the beginning of summer by eating the first strawberries of the season. They also celebrated—and still celebrate—a holiday known as Midsummer’s Day, which is one of the four ancient quarter days of the year. Learn more about Midsummer’s Day.
Eating strawberries is the perfect way to celebrate the June solstice, since June’s full Moon is also known as the Full Strawberry Moon. It typically coincided with the ripening of strawberries in what is now the northeastern United States.
There are many northern people like the Swedes who celebrate Midsummer’s Eve, too, dancing around the bonfire on the shortest night of the year. After all, these northern people have emerged from some long, dark winters! In the Austrian state of Tyrol, torches and bonfires are lit up on mountainsides.
According to ancient Latvian legend, Midsummer Even (St. John’s Eve) on June 23 is spent awake by the glow of a bonfire and in pursuit of a magical fern flower—said to bring good luck—before cleansing one’s face in the morning dew. Read more about fern folklore.
SUMMER SOLSTICE FOLKLORE
Deep snow in winter, tall grain in summer. –Estonian proverb
When the summer birds take their flight, goes the summer with them.
If it rains on Midsummer’s Eve, the filbert crops will be spoiled. –Unknown
One swallow never made a summer.
Easterly winds from May 19 to the 21 indicate a dry summer.
If there are many falling stars during a clear summer evening, expect thunder. If there are none, expect fine weather.
When does fall start? Click here to see the first date of each season.