Doha, Qatar: Qatar will witness the summer solstice for 2026 today, June 21, marking the official start of astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Qatar Meteorology Department stated that the summer solstice is an astronomical event that occurs when the Sun reaches its northernmost point in the sky due to the Earth's axial tilt of approximately 23.5 degrees toward the Sun.
The summer solstice is an astronomical phenomenon that typically takes place between June 20 and 21 each year, bringing the longest day and shortest night of the year.
The department noted that the sun rises in the northeast and sets in the northwest, while shadows at noon are at their shortest.
It clarified that despite marking the beginning of summer, the summer solstice is not necessarily the hottest day of the year.
Following the solstice, daylight hours will gradually begin to decrease until the autumnal equinox later in the year, the department added.
