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Washington Post
01-06-2025
- Climate
- Washington Post
Saturday ended spring, in a way, and was cool and wet
On the last day of May, on the brink and verge of summer, Saturday in the District was breezy and bright, stormy and dark, rainy and dry, and stocked with almost every atmospheric feature that distinguishes not only one day from the next, but one hour of a day from those that come before and after. But for all the diverse meteorological manifestations on display, it probably could not be said that Saturday was hot. If a long hot summer is in the offing, Saturday gave few clues. True, the day was long, as the days of summer are known to be, and the sun did not set until almost 8:30 p.m., but the day was not sultry or steamy or scorching or thermally unpleasant in any way. Saturday was the day before the start of June, which is the first month of meteorological summer. On Saturday, a day which is a kind of seasonal sentinel, a day which holds such symbolic significance, few signs appeared that summer was so close. On Saturday it was only 19 days until the solstice, the start of astronomical summer. Yet the high temperature in the District was 73 degrees, the air seemed light and fresh, and the day seemed far too pleasant even to suggest some of the atmospheric excesses associated with a Washington summer. The 73 degree high was seven degrees below the average high in Washington for the last day of May. When the sun shone, which was far from always, it was authorized by the calendar and astronomy to beam with peak illuminating power, with a radiance reserved for the few weeks on either side of the solstice, when it has reached its highest position above the horizon. But in the early hours of the afternoon, sunshine alternated with thunderstorms. Dark clouds gathered and rain pelted down. Then the rain stopped, and newly fallen droplets of water clung to or were cradled by green leaves, and in the resurgent sunshine, they glittered like gems. If the weather on Saturday changed in the District from hour to hour and even minute to minute, it nevertheless appeared that it might not have varied as much over the miles from one part of the region to another. At Reagan National Airport, where Washington's official readings are made, the strongest wind gust on Saturday was 49 mph. At Dulles International Airport, in Virginia, two dozen miles to the northwest, the peak gust was 46, showing a near uniformity of breeziness. Rainfall figures appeared closely matched as well. Dulles recorded a little more than a quarter of an inch, while National reported a little less. At Dulles, the high was 71 degrees, two less than the high recorded for D.C. It helped support characterizations of Saturday as a day of significant variation over time, substantial universality over distance.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Here's what to watch for in the early summer night skies
The first month of meteorological summer brings a trio of noteworthy astronomical events, including Venus reaching its greatest elongation, a plump Strawberry Moon and the arrival of the seasonal solstice. The month begins with the second planet from the Sun lighting up the night sky on June 1. Venus will reach its greatest western elongation from the Sun, making it highly visible on the horizon during the dawn hours. The rocky planet is usually too close to the giant to be seen clearly, but during times of elongation - the greatest angular distance between a planet and the Sun - Venus can be seen without the aid of a telescope. According to NASA, Venus is often known as the "Morning Star" and the "Evening Star" because of its striking brightness during periods of elongation. Don't Miss These Celestial Events In 2025 Just ten days later, attention will shift to the arrival of the Full Strawberry Moon on June 11. Peaking at 3:44 a.m. EDT, the full Moon's name comes from the strawberry harvest season in North America, which typically peaks in June. It is one of just two full Moons with nicknames tied directly to farming practices. While the first full Moon of meteorological summer may appear large and bright, it is not considered a supermoon - that designation is reserved for the Oct. 6 Full Harvest Moon, the Nov. 5 Full Beaver Moon and the Dec. 4 Full Cold Moon. What Is A Micromoon? Later in the month, the first day of astronomical summer will arrive on June 20 at 10:42 p.m. EDT. On the summer solstice, Earth's North Pole reaches its maximum tilt toward the Sun, resulting in the longest day of the year across the Northern Hemisphere. While the Sun's rays are most direct during the solstice, peak temperatures usually lag by several weeks due to the time it takes for land and water to heat. Following the solstice, daylight will begin to gradually decrease until the winter solstice in December. There are also several meteor showers occurring during the month, including the Bootids and the Arietids, but most of the activity is not visible from article source: Here's what to watch for in the early summer night skies
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
When is the 2025 summer solstice? Here's when summer starts in Mississippi
Don't let the temperatures fool you, it's still spring in Mississippi. With highs edging closer to the 90s, it could feel like summer is already here, but our hottest and longest days are still a few weeks away. While summer is just days away, here are the answers to a few common questions leading into warmer weather. Meteorologists say June 1 is the first day of summer. Astronomically, the season kicks off each year with the solstice, or longest day, and that can be June 20, 21 or 22. The first day of the astronomical season is Friday, June 20, 2025. The solstice will be at 9:42 p.m. CT. According to the National Weather Service, the summer solstice is when the Earth is at the maximum tilt toward the sun. It's the day with the most daylight in the year in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, the June solstice is the opposite and starts winter. According to sunrise in Jackson will be at 5:54 a.m., and sunset will be at 8:10 p.m. There will be about 14 hours and 16 minutes of daylight on the summer solstice. The winter solstice, however, will have about 10 hours and 1 minute of sunlight. The shortest day with the longest night will be on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, the astronomical start dates for the seasons are: Spring: March 20 - vernal equinox Summer: June 20 - summer solstice Fall: Sept. 22 - autumnal equinox Winter: Dec. 21 - winter solstice Every year, daylight saving starts on the second Sunday in March and runs through fall. "Spring forward" was on Sunday, March 9, 2025. After losing an hour of sleep early in the year, people get a later sunrise and sunset until autumn. The return to standard time, or "fall back," is set for Sunday, Nov. 2. President Donald Trump has weighed in on daylight saving several times, saying the U.S. should changing the clocks twice a year. There are currently two bills suggesting making the change to daylight saving permanent, meaning there would be no "fall back." Both Senate Bill 29 and House Resolution 139 are called the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025. A move to only use daylight saving time in 1974 failed after parents were worried about kids going to school before dawn, risking more vehicle accidents. Heat stroke: Recognize the signs and know how to react in a MS summer. Experts share tips Several school districts summer break on Friday, May 23, including the Jackson Public School District and Rankin County School District. It varies across the state for others, including private and parochial schools. Contributing: Iris Seaton Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: When is the first day of summer 2025? What to know about the solstice
