When is the first day of summer in 2026? What to know in Washington state

The first day of summer is nearly here.

The summer solstice marks the official start of the season in the Northern Hemisphere — and the longest day of the year.

It occurs when “the sun, as seen from Earth, reaches its northernmost point in the sky for the year,” the Farmer’s Almanac said.

Here’s what to know in Washington state.

When is the summer solstice in June 2026?

In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice takes place annually on June 20, 21 or 22 depending on the year, the Old Farmer’s Almanac said.

The June solstice falls on Sunday, June 21, in 2026.

“While most people consider the summer solstice to be a day, it is in reality an exact moment in time that falls upon that day,” said Royal Museums Greenwich. “This moment comes when whichever hemisphere you’re in is most tilted towards the sun.”

Astronomical summer officially begins at 1:24 a.m. on June 21, according to online clock Time and Date.

On that day, the sun will rise at 5:13 a.m. and set at 9:09 p.m. in Tacoma.

“Around the solstice, the Northern Hemisphere gets its longest days and shortest nights of the year,” NASA said, although the longest day of the year “does not usually line up exactly with the earliest sunrise or latest sunset.”

What is astronomical summer?

There is a difference between astronomical and meteorological seasons.

Meteorological seasons reflect temperature cycles and align with calendar months. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, meteorological summer begins in June and lasts through August.

Astronomical seasons, however, are based on the earth’s position relative to the sun.

Solstices and equinoxes marking the start of each season.

What causes the June solstice?

Earth rotates on its axis once a day, and on its orbit around the sun once a year. However, Earth’s axis is slightly tilted, according to Royal Museums Greenwich.

“This tilt means that during one half of the year the north side of the earth is tilted slightly toward the sun and the south is tilted away,” Royal Museums Greenwich said. “For the other half of the year, the reverse is true.”

The solstice occurs at the exact moment the hemisphere is most tilted toward the sun.

On June 21, the sun will appear at its highest elevation of the year at noon.

When the sun is highest in the sky, you’ll notice that your “shadow is the shortest that it will be all year,” the Old Farmer’s Almanac said.