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

I get this and agree. Because once we reach it, we are on our way out of winter. The dead middle of winter is when it should be imo

Edit: clarification