Summer Solstice Marks Longest Day of the Year in the U.S.

The summer solstice is here, marking the official start of astronomical summer and the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Here is what you need to know about the summer solstice, along with a look at the latest long-range forecast for the next three months across the U.S.

Understanding the Summer Solstice

The precise moment of the summer solstice varies from year to year within a range of a few days. This year's event falls on Sunday, June 21, across the U.S. and Europe. The moment marks the longest day and the shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and signifies the official start of astronomical summer.

Conversely, the winter solstice occurs simultaneously for those in the Southern Hemisphere — marking the shortest day of the year and the longest night.