Winter

(Dec. 20, 2012) The winter season officially begins tomorrow, the earliest winter since 1896 arriving with the solstice at 6:12 a.m. (EST).

This is the shortest day of the year—the time when the Sun reaches its southernmost point in the sky. Although this part of Earth is cooling, its great thermal mass still retains some heat from the summer and fall. As the gradual cooling process continues over the next two months, temperatures will continue to fall, and the coldest temperatures will be recorded.

Here is the Northeast, snow soon will begin to sprinkle down (or dump) onto the landscape, painting everything white. There will be a peaceful sort of silence when you walk through the woods—a muffled kind of quiet. It also means shoveling, snowblowing, dealing with bad roads, and sometimes unbearably cold temperatures.

For up-to-the-minute items about the season and more area news, check out Recorder Community Newspapers and their online blogs at newjerseyhills.com. Anyone interested in joining the growing group of individuals blogging here may call me at (908) 832-7420 or e-mail panderson@recordernewspapers.com. This 20th century communication tool is simple and free.