Longest Day of the Year 2024 in Nueva Zelanda
The Summer Solstice occurs at 22:23
The Summer Solstice is the first day of astronomical summer, although the more logical metrological summer begins December 1st / June 1st (depending on hemisphere).
Solstice sunrise, sunset and day length in Wellington
Sunrise
05:45
Direction: 123°First light: 05:11
Sunset
20:54
Direction: 237°Last light: 21:28
How long is the longest day of the year?
16 hours, 17 minutesFor most of us the main feature of the Summer Solstice is that it is the day with the longest period of sunlight - or daylight at least! This officially occurs at the moment when the sun reaches a point directly overhead of the Tropic of Cancer (latitude 23.44° north) in the northern hemisphere or over the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern. At this point the respective hemisphere will receive sunlight at the most direct angle for that year.
During the December Solstice the sun will appear at its highest and most
The evenings are already long at this time of year and the solstice is just the peak. So whilst it might seem like a day to celebrate, in fact days now start getting shorter. It is also worth pointing out that the Summer Solstice doesn't actually have the latest sunset - that occurs a few days later.
With the Sun's rays hitting the Earth more directly this is the time of year the sun is strongest with the highest levels of UV. That said because of "seasonal lag" temperatures still have a way to go before they max out in January or February
Summer Solstice Dates
In the southern hemisphere, the summer solstice takes place between December 20, 21, 22, or 23 each year
| Year | Date | Time (Solstice) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 21st December | 23:06 |
| 2021 | 22nd December | 05:02 |
| 2022 | 22nd December | 10:51 |
| 2023 | 22nd December | 16:30 |
| 2024 | 21st December | 22:23 |
| 2025 | 22nd December | 04:06 |
| 2026 | 22nd December | 09:53 |
| 2027 | 22nd December | 15:45 |
| 2028 | 21st December | 21:23 |
| 2029 | 22nd December | 03:17 |
| 2030 | 22nd December | 09:13 |
The word solstice comes from Latin 'solstitium' meaning "the sun stands still". This is because the sun's path north or south stops before reversing direction.