Summer 2014 starts at 6:51 a.m. EDT, June 21, which is right now if our internet service provider’s clock is accurate.
This means that tilt of Earth’s semi-axis is most inclined to the sun in the Northern Hemisphere which is a solstice.
The axis will in a few moments slowly start reversing itself until it is the Southern Hemisphere that is most inclined to the sun.
The would be the start of our winter (and Australia’s summer).
Today is the longest day of the year. Don’t expect the real heat to start happening for several more weeks, however. It takes a while for the ground to absorb all that solar energy and it is the ground that really makes things hot.
In Europe summer was traditionally considered to start May 1 which is why today is often referred to as “Midsummer.”
This reckoning is still used in Ireland.
Some music to start the season:
Thank you God! I didn’t know if I could last an other lousy day!