The winter solstice, which marks the astronomical first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest day of the year, happens today.

The first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere comes on the winter solstice, which occurs at 10:59 a.m. ET on Dec. 21, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

For people who live on the northern half of Earth, it happens each year on Dec. 21 or 22. In the Southern Hemisphere, the winter solstice falls on June 20 or 21.

While astronomers consider the winter solstice as the official beginning of winter, based on the position of Earth in relation to the sun, meteorologists have a different take. Meteorological winter began on Dec. 1, since it’s the start of the coldest three months of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Today is also considered the shortest day of the year.  After the winter solstice, the days once again grow longer until the summer solstice in June, which marks the longest day of the year and the first day of summer.

While we will have some cold nights this week, it isn’t looking like Christmas Day will feel much like “winter”.  Forecast highs for Saturday are 68 degrees here in Northwest Georgia.