It is currently winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
If you are standing anywhere north of the equator—think New York, London, Tokyo, or Cairo—you are smack in the middle of the coldest months of the year. Specifically, it is January 2026, which is meteorologically the heart of the winter season. While you might be shivering or scraping ice off a windshield, folks in Australia are currently hitting the beach in 90-degree heat.
Geography is funny like that.
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Where is it winter right now and why does it matter?
Basically, the Earth is tilted on its axis at about 23.5 degrees. As we orbit the sun, different parts of the planet get direct sunlight while others get it at a shallow, weak angle. Right now, the North Pole is tilted away from the sun. That means less heat, shorter days, and the reason you're probably wearing a puffer jacket.
The Northern Hemisphere includes:
- All of North America (Canada, USA, Mexico, Central America).
- All of Europe.
- The vast majority of Asia (including India, China, and Japan).
- The northern two-thirds of Africa.
If you're in these spots, it’s winter. But "winter" doesn't look the same everywhere. Honestly, a January day in Miami, Florida, where it might be a crisp 65°F, feels like a different planet compared to a -20°F morning in Winnipeg.
The 2026 Polar Vortex Situation
This year has been a bit of a rollercoaster. We’re seeing a "disturbed" polar vortex. Earlier this month, a massive ridge of high pressure pushed Arctic air deep into the central and eastern United States. Places like Alabama and Florida actually saw frost and light snow flurries just a few days ago.
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Meanwhile, parts of the West, like Utah and Colorado, have been strangely warm. It’s a "nickel-and-dime" winter pattern—lots of small, annoying storms rather than one massive "Snowpocalypse" (so far, anyway).
Meteorological vs. Astronomical Winter (The Big Confusion)
Most people think winter starts on December 21st and ends in late March. That’s the astronomical definition based on the solstice and equinox.
But if you ask a scientist or someone who tracks weather for a living, they’ll tell you winter started on December 1st. This is called meteorological winter. It groups the three coldest months (December, January, February) together to make record-keeping easier.
- Meteorological Winter: Dec 1 to Feb 28.
- Astronomical Winter: Dec 21 to Mar 20.
Right now, we are in the "dead" of winter regardless of which calendar you use.
Where to Find the "Real" Winter Magic
If you're looking for that postcard-perfect snow, there are a few places currently overachieving in 2026:
- Lapland, Finland: It’s basically a permanent Narnia right now. Heavy snow, northern lights, and reindeer everywhere.
- Hokkaido, Japan: Known for "Japow" (Japan powder), the mountains here are currently buried under some of the best skiing snow on earth.
- Banff, Canada: The Canadian Rockies are deep in a freeze, with Lake Louise looking like a giant ice mirror.
- The Alps: Switzerland and Italy (specifically Cortina d’Ampezzo) are seeing high visitor numbers as they prep for the upcoming Olympic hype.
What about the Southern Hemisphere?
It is Summer south of the equator.
If you're in Brazil, South Africa, or New Zealand, you’re dealing with the January heat. In the Southern Hemisphere, their seasons are the exact opposite of ours. Their winter doesn't start until June.
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It’s a bit of a brain-bender if you’ve spent your whole life in the North, but for half the world, January means tan lines and ice cream, not shoveling driveways.
Why is it so weird this year?
We are currently transitioning out of a weak La Niña. Usually, La Niña means a warmer, drier winter for the southern U.S., but January 2026 has been surprisingly wet and volatile. Scientists from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) are actually flying research planes into Atlantic storms right now to figure out why the jet stream is acting so erratic.
Basically, the "where" is easy to answer, but the "what kind of winter" changes every week.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the AO (Arctic Oscillation) Index: If you're in the U.S. or Europe and want to know if a "Big Cold" is coming, keep an eye on this. A "negative" AO usually means Arctic air is about to spill south.
- Plan "Shoulder Season" Travel: If you hate the cold, look at places like the Canary Islands or Egypt. It’s technically winter there too, but it’s "sweater weather" (65-75°F) rather than "survival weather."
- Prepare for February: Statistically, February can be even snowier than January in many Northern regions. Ensure your emergency car kit (blankets, salt, shovel) is actually in your car and not buried in the garage.
- Monitor ENSO Updates: Follow the Climate Prediction Center to see when the shift to "Neutral" conditions happens, as this will dictate whether your spring arrives early or if winter will linger into April.