The summer solstice takes place today and is being marked across the northern hemisphere including in Ireland.
But what is the Summer Solstice and why is the 2024 edition different from the past 228?
The Summer Solstice marks the longest day of the year with Galway expecting 16 hours and 59 minutes of daylight today with sunset to take place at 22:07. The word Solstice comes from the Latin word 'solstitium', meaning 'sun standing still.
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What causes the Summer Solstice?The Summer Solstice is caused because the earth spins on a tilt around the sun, and at one point every year, the angle of the tilt is most close to the sun which gives us the maximum hours of daylight. At the same time, the southern hemisphere is angled away from the sun giving them the Winter Solstice and the shortest day of the year.
Why is this Summer Solstice different?Unlike the previous 228 Summer Solstice, the June 20, 2024 one is very different. That's because it's the earliest summer Solstice since 1796. It's celebrated across the northern hemisphere including at the ancient burial site of Newgrange in Co Meath.
Why does the date change?The Summer Solstice always takes place between June 20 and June 22. During a leap year, it will fall on June 20. The date can change from year to year because the calendar doesn't exactly match the time it takes the Earth to orbit the sun.
Will days get shorter now?From June 21, we will lose 7 seconds of daylight and by the end of June, we will have lost an entire minute. Temperatures will begin to increase starting next week after unseasonably cold weather.
Meanwhile, Met Eireann has released its forecast for today and Friday with Thursday set to be dry for most with the best of the sunshine in the east. Highest temperatures of 16-21 degrees.
TodayMostly cloudy today with the best of the sunny spells in the east of the province. Dry for most as well though isolated light patches of rain and drizzle will occur at times. Highest temperatures of 16 to 21 degrees in a light, occasionally moderate southwest wind, but turning fresher in the west later.
TonightA mild night and cloudy with a few spots of light rain or drizzle. More persistent rain will push into the west of the province areas towards morning. Temperatures not falling below 12 to 14 degrees in light to moderate southerly winds, fresher near western coasts.
TomorrowCloudy tomorrow morning with outbreaks of rain in the west, gradually tracking eastwards to all areas through the morning. Through the afternoon, the rain will clear to sunny spells and isolated showers. Highest temperatures of 15 to 17 degrees with mostly moderate southerly winds, veering westerly and easing as the rain clears.
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