PHOENIX — The summer solstice is on Thursday, June 20 this year, marking the official start of summer. This is the earliest one within nearly 300 years.
While the start of summer doesn't mean much for us in Arizona, astronomical summer is based on the position of the earth relative to the sun.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: ¿Cuándo inicia oficialmente el verano?
At 1:50 pm PDT on June 20, the sun's direct, 90-degree sunlight will shine directly over the Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere, marking the sun's northernmost journey. The northern hemisphere will experience the most daylight hours, with Phoenix soaking up 14 hours and 23 minutes of daylight.
After June 20, the sun will begin its southern journey again, and the days will gradually trend shorter through December.
Fall, or the autumnal equinox, will begin on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.
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