If the winter solstice is the longest night of the year, why does it mark the beginning of winter, rather than the very middle of it?

Question

If the winter solstice is the longest night of the year, why does it mark the beginning of winter, rather than the very middle of it?

In: Earth Science

Answer 1

It’s based on astronomy — each solstice and equinox marks a position of Earth in orbit 90 degrees apart, which marks the beginning of what we call a season. Its what ancient people could easily observe and Mark. It’s also a solstice in Australia, but down there the days are longest and it’s getting warmer.