With the winter season here and temperatures plummeting, here is how to keep your pipes from freezing.

Get ready to bundle up and celebrate the official start of winter, as the shortest day and longest night of the year isn't so far from now.

When does winter start?

Winter officially begins in the Northern Hemisphere on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, with the winter solstice at 4:21 a.m. ET, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. Marking the "shortest day" of the year, it will feature the fewest hours of sunlight before the days gradually begin to lengthen.

How long will winter last for?

Winter will continue until Thursday, March 20, 2025, when the vernal equinox heralds the start of spring. By that time, daylight saving time will have already returned, with clocks "springing forward" one hour on Sunday, March 9, 2025.

What is the winter solstice?

The solstice isn't just the start of winter -- it's a celestial event steeped in tradition and science. As the Earth orbits the sun, its axial tilt means different parts of the planet receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year. On the winter solstice, the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky, creating the "shortest day" with the least sunlight. After this day, daylight hours will begin to increase until the summer solstice in June.