Although heat and humidity have been here for weeks, your desktop calendar finally said "Summer Begins" on Wednesday's square. It's like a little celebration for the soul and the little kid inside us that still gets excited for everything summer.
The beginning of summer, or summer solstice as astronomers and meteorologist call it, started at 12:24 a.m. in the northern hemisphere.
But don't get caught wishing someone a "Happy longest day of the year!"
Yes, we've all done it. It's just what people say. The first day of winter you'll hear it's the shortest day of the year and for summer it's the opposite.
But what we should actually be saying is: "Happy longest amount of daylight day!"
It sounds silly, but it's a better reflection of day.
A day only has 24 hours, so today can't be any longer than tomorrow.
The sun came out at 6:12 a.m. here on the summer solstice and sets at 9:07 p.m. That's 14 hours and 55 minutes of daylight to enjoy! After Wednesday, the sunrise will continue getting a little later and the sunset a little earlier. Eventually by the winter solstice, we'll have a measly nine hours and 25 minutes of daylight.
We aren't trying the change the world here. But you better believe if one of our meteorologists says Monday is the "longest day of the year" on air, we immediately get called out via email or social media.
That's because the day is still 24 hours. It's the hours of daylight that are the longest!
Happy Summer Solstice, friends!
