When can we expect the 'grand stretch in the evenings' to return?
We're counting down the days until summer ☀️
Last updated 25th Jan 2022
Have noticed that the days are getting slightly longer? You know what that means...everyone's favourite conversation starter returns!
When the clocks go back on the last Sunday of October, we experience about nine hours and 40 minutes of daylight.
The days start to get longer after the winter solstice, and the evenings steadily get lighter until the summer solstice in June.
What is the Winter Solstice?
During the winter solstice, the earth’s axis is tilted at its furthest point from the sun.
This means that for those in the northern hemisphere the sun is at its lowest point in the sky.
From 22 December onward, the UK will then experience more daylight, which means brighter mornings and lighter evenings, until the summer solstice.
When is the Summer Solstice in 2022?
This is the longest day of the year for people living in the northern hemisphere, therefore you have the the most hours of daylight.
We can expect the summer solstice on Tuesday 21st June 2022.
So if you find yourself commenting on the 'grand stretch' in the evening, you're not wrong!
Check out some of our favourite local phrases & sayings about the weather 🤣
"You wouldn't put the dog out in it!"
"How much for a poke? 😱In my day they were 99p!"
"It's parful close today, isn't it"
"Don't worry, I always burn first, then I tan"
"That wind would go through you for a short cut"
"I can't sleep in this weather, I'm glued to the mattress"
"You can't see the hand in front of your face"
"There's great drying out there!"
NI's weekly weather report 👇
Wednesday: Dry in the morning with some brightness. Freshening southwesterly winds will bring cloud and a little rain from the west by evening. Mild. Maximum temperature 11 °C
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday: Cold, bright and mainly dry on Thursday, the odd light shower in the northeast. Dry, breezy and cloudy on Friday. A little rain for a time on Saturday otherwise dry
Read more:
17 local insults that 'just make sense' in Northern Ireland
11 hilarious phrases local people say when it's starts to rain
The best & worst Northern Irish accents in Hollywood films & TV