When Is The First Day of Summer 2025?

The summer solstice in 2025 will occur on Friday, June 20th at 10:42 PM UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). This marks the official astronomical beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

The date varies between June 20th and 21st because our calendar year (365 days) is slightly shorter than the time it takes Earth to complete its orbit around the sun (about 365.25 days). This discrepancy causes the solstice to occur about 6 hours later each year, with leap years resetting the timing.

No, the hottest days typically come in July or August. This “seasonal lag” happens because land and water take time to absorb and release heat. Even though the sun is at its highest point, maximum temperatures occur weeks later when the cumulative heating effect is greatest.

Daylight hours vary by location. For example:

• New York: about 15 hours 5 minutes
• London: about 16 hours 38 minutes
• Los Angeles: about 14 hours 25 minutes
• Above Arctic Circle: 24 hours of daylight

Meteorological summer is defined by temperature patterns and runs from June 1 to August 31 for consistency in weather records. Astronomical summer is based on Earth’s position relative to the sun, beginning at the summer solstice (around June 20-21) and ending at the autumnal equinox (around September 22-23).

Celebrations include:

• Stonehenge sunrise gatherings in England
• Midsummer festivals in Scandinavia with maypoles and bonfires
• Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) in Peru
• Yoga day celebrations in India
• Modern music festivals and community events worldwide

The solstice itself doesn’t directly affect tides or weather, but it marks the period when the Northern Hemisphere receives maximum solar energy, which influences seasonal weather patterns. Tides are primarily affected by the moon’s position, though the sun’s gravitational pull (strongest when Earth is closest to the sun in January) has a secondary effect.

Due to the Earth’s elliptical orbit and axial tilt, the earliest sunrise typically occurs a few days before the solstice, while the latest sunset happens a few days after. This phenomenon is called the “equation of time” and results from the difference between solar time and clock time.

Climate change won’t alter the astronomical timing of solstices, but it’s making summers hotter on average. Research shows summers are lengthening (starting earlier and ending later) in terms of temperature patterns, with some regions experiencing 20+ more days of summer-like temperatures compared to 50 years ago.

This is a myth – you can balance an egg on its end any day of the year with patience and a steady hand! The solstice has no special gravitational or astronomical effect that makes egg-balancing easier. The myth likely originated from Chinese spring equinox traditions.