How Many Days Until Winter?
86
days until winter
Monday, December 21, 2026Live countdown loads in your browser.
The exact moment is Monday, December 21, 2026 at 3:50 PM EST (Eastern), per the U.S. Naval Observatory.
When is Winter?
In the Northern Hemisphere, winter begins at the December solstice, December 21 or 22 - also the shortest day of the year. Meteorological winter always starts December 1.
| Year | Date | Exact time (Eastern) | Days away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday, December 21, 2026 | 3:50 PM EST 20:50 UTC | 86 days |
| 2027 | Tuesday, December 21, 2027 | 9:42 PM EST 02:42 UTC | 451 days |
| 2028 | Thursday, December 21, 2028 | 3:19 AM EST 08:19 UTC | 817 days |
| 2029 | Friday, December 21, 2029 | 9:14 AM EST 14:14 UTC | 1,182 days |
| 2030 | Saturday, December 21, 2030 | 3:09 PM EST 20:09 UTC | 1,547 days |
| 2031 | Sunday, December 21, 2031 | 8:55 PM EST 01:55 UTC | 1,912 days |
| 2032 | Tuesday, December 21, 2032 | 2:56 AM EST 07:56 UTC | 2,278 days |
"Days away" counted from Saturday, September 26, 2026 (U.S. Eastern). The counter at the top uses your own date and time zone.
Common questions
How many days until Winter 2026?
As of Saturday, September 26, 2026, there are 86 days until Winter on Monday, December 21, 2026 at 3:50 PM EST (Eastern). The live counter at the top of this page updates every second using your time zone.
What day is Winter 2026?
Winter 2026 is on Monday, December 21, 2026 at 3:50 PM EST (Eastern).
What is the first day of winter?
The day of the December solstice, December 21 or 22 depending on the year and your time zone.
Is the first day of winter the shortest day?
Yes. In the Northern Hemisphere the December solstice has the fewest hours of daylight.