Muscat: Winter solstice will begin on Thursday, December 22, in Oman, marking the first day of winter season in the northern hemisphere.
According to the astronomical experts, December 22 marks the beginning of the winter solstice, making it the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Therefore, the winter solstice is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight in the whole year.
The phenomenon begins at 1:48 pm, Oman time.
Speaking about the phenomenon, Rayan bint Said al Ruwaishdiyah, a member of the Oman Astronomical Society, said that Thursday is the shortest day of the year, and the night is the longest night in the calendar.
“The sun will rise in Muscat at 6:44 am and set at 5:25 pm Oman time”, she stated.
She said the day will be just 10 hours and 41 minutes long and it will be the first day of the winter season, which lasts 88 days, 23 hours and 36 minutes.
The phenomenon will continue for several days, and then daylight hours begin to extend until their duration becomes equal to those of the night. Later, the vernal equinox (the start of the transition into the spring season) will occur on March 21.
According to weather officials, a trough of low pressure is likely to affect the country next week, and therefore, a gradual decline in temperature is expected during the next period.
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