Today is the first day of winter, otherwise known as the 2000 winter solstice. At the winter solstice, the sun appears at its most southerly position, directly overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn. The winter solstice occurs on the shortest day of the year and indicates the beginning of winter.
Winter is the coldest season of the year, but some winters can be record setters.
Officials at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, parent agency of the National Weather Service, said the recent blast of cold air that broke several records last week is a preview of what the nation can expect for the rest of the winter. He said the above normal precipitation pattern could lead to a good chance of more snow than usual for Cleveland County this winter. In the short term, Horne said another system very similar to the one that pelted the area Tuesday will be moving through the area Thursday and Friday. Horne said the weekend weather should be clear and dry and that forecast should continue through Christmas. The seasons are caused by the changing position of the Earth in relation to the sun, according to World Book Encyclopedia.