Typically, the first day of summer falls on June 21.  However, the actual time of the “summer solstice” varies each year.  It corresponds with the point in time when the sun is at its zenith (or highest point) over the Tropic of Cancer.  That’s at 23.5 N degrees latitude. For a reference, we are about 28 N latitude.

This year, the sun passes directly over the Tropic of Cancer at 7:59pm on Friday June 20.  So, that is when summer officially begins...although it’s felt like it for some time now!

Since we are only a few degrees north of the Tropic of Cancer, we should keep in mind that we are seeing our most direct sun rays right now.  So, we should keep plenty of sunscreen on!

To see a list of all Equinoxes and Solstices click here.  These official times are in Greenwich Mean Time (the time at the prime meridian) The eastern time zone is four hours BEHIND these times.

On a side note, June 20 is my birthday! 

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