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

The temperature is changing downward the fastest on this day, since there is the least amount of sun. Until the amount of sun per day reaches the average amount of sun (basically at the spring equinox/the last day of winter), the daily temperature will tend to go down day after day.