Yes at 04:49 tomorrow morning is the winter solstice

http://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/gl...h=12&year=2015

Sorry, I just assumed it was the 21st as it is usually that date for the winter solstice.

Just checked my calendar, and it does indeed say "Shortest Day. First Day of Winter" for the 22nd.

The shortest day can be any day from 20th December to 23rd December.

The last time the winter solstice fell on 23rd December was 1903 and will not do so again until 2303

A winter solstice is not due to be on 20th December until 2080.

Had the lights on pretty much all day today... Sunrise was 9.04am and set at 3.15pm. The sunrise was spectacular though, which made up for an otherwise miserable day! I can't believe the date - it feels too mild to be celebrating the solstice!

Its not helping either that councils are putting off some of the street lights as well.
It is very dark this winter.

No that's my normal sunrise. It's dark outside right now.

Was it a clear sky this morning with no rain? Was it actually sunny If it was then I definitely missed it because I didn't get up till 11:30 this morning, the latest I have ever got up in my life. Looked at my iPad first thing this morning and I couldn't believe the time!
I thought the clock might have gone wrong but no I checked my bedroom clock and that indeed confirmed the time. Went to bed at 12pm last night, fell asleep at 1pm, slept like a log. So I had nearly 12 hours sleep!

As usual, when I got up it was gloomy and dreary. Been like that all day. Had to have the light on all day too. Street lights have been on since 3:30pm.

So today I have only experienced about 4 hours of gloominess so it's been a very short day for me indeed.



Really I am now starting to look forward to the lighter days again.

You went to bed at 12am last night. PM is midday.

They've been turning of lights for years. Breaking News which doesn't appear to have been received by many posters on here. In Winter, it gets dark early. Have you all only arrived on planet earth?

In the Shetland Islands, the most northerly part of the UK, the sun doesn't get above 6° over the horizon at solar noon- it literally skims the horizon for 6 hours before setting.

Ok, gives you a goal and purpose


Sun was in sky yes


Wow!


Awww


3.30!! It was 3.30 for you yesterday as well !!


So happy for you Leachie

Think it's about 7.5° here at solar noon at the moment. As much as I love winter, I'm looking forward to the sun rising enough to get some natural light into the house again. I've got one of those Lumie lamps that mimic the sunrise to wake you up, but it's nothing compared to the real thing. I've been like a zombie the past few weeks!

First day of the reversal. Phew we made it!

Haven't known any lights being turned off where I am. In fact last year they put up some new lights on the nearby pathways so you can see where you're going at night.

One thing I've noticed however is that many of the traditional yellowy lights have been replaced by new bluey/white lights. I don't know about you, but I definitely prefer yellow artificial lighting to the new bluey white type. They replaced about half of the street lights a few years ago (mine included), especially the posher streets. Now they're replacing some of the main road lights but they seem to be too bright and get in your eyes. Maybe it's just because I'm used to yellow lighting or because yellow is my favourite colour, I don't know..

I've never been to the Northern Isles in winter, although I know exactly what you mean. I've been to Stockholm, which is at the same latitude as the Orkney Isles during the winter solstice and it was a clear day- it was like a 6 hour sunset.

However I've been there in June too and the 'white nights' are truly delightful.

Sunglasses soon become your best friend on a clear winter's day! Otherwise you just look confused and mildly irritated... I just want the birdsong back more than anything (greylag geese don't count).

It's 3c outside and dark. Feels more wintry now

But in the summer the opposite happens and we have VERY long days.

After all those long sultry BBQ hot summer nights we've been having.

Oh I know, I've been to Stockholm in June and the 'white nights' are gorgeous. It was lovely sitting outside with a drink on a warm summer night in the light.

9°C here in London, still above average for this time in the morning at this time of year.

Yeah it always seems to be mild there though.

Snow showers here tomorrow.

Me and my mother always go out for 10pm walks. It's odd because it doesn't feel like 10pm nor look like it.

I notice that the quality of light is much better this morning than it has been in the last few weeks. It seems really bright here in south Scotland.

Yes but sunrise was later and will keep on getting later for at least another week.