TODAY marks the slow hill climb out of winter as days gradually become longer.
Last night was the winter solstice, or the shortest day, where daylight hours are at their shortest.
From now until the longest day, the summer solstice on June 21, the days will continue to get longer and warmer.
Although marking the journey towards summer, the mornings will become darker until the New Year with with sunrise on New Year's Eve expected to take place around 8.05am.
The solstice marked the point of the year when the Northern Hemisphere is titled furthest from the Sun.
Astronomically it marks the start of winter despite most people considering December the heart of the season.
