Solstice casts its shadows

Aucklanders exercising yesterday cast the year's longest shadows with the sun at its lowest. Photo / Greg Bowker

The longest night of the year has passed, but the cold grip of winter is expected to tighten in the next week.

Winter solstice, when the sun is at its most northerly point in the sky, occurred yesterday at 5.45pm, casting long shadows at dusk for Aucklanders taking advantage of clear but crisp weather outdoors.

Auckland had 9 hours of daylight, and in Dunedin the day lasted 8 hours.

MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt said the daylight would begin to gradually lengthen in the evening but we wouldn't notice earlier dawns for a couple of weeks because of the tilt of the Earth.

"After the shortest day, the cold can get stronger. The most bitter days of the year are usually late July, early August. We should notice warming and daffodils coming out in about 6 weeks' time."

The forecast for this week was more clear skies, with frosty mornings, low temperatures and a light southerly breeze.

MetService expected a high of 13C in Auckland, and no rain until Saturday at the earliest.