When Does Winter Begin?

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Story Published: Mar 13, 2008 at 12:13 PM PST

Story Updated: Mar 13, 2008 at 12:13 PM PST

By Steve Pool

SEATTLE - The Pacific coast is always known for being ahead of the times. And this winter will be no different.

While most of the country will see winter begin early in the morning on Dec. 22, the Pacific Time Zone will get a head start by kicking off the winter season a day early -- sort of.

According to the world clock, which uses the old Greenwich Mean Time, winter officially begins Dec. 22 at 7:04 a.m. But Seattle and the Pacific Time Zone are 8 hours behind GMT, so winter for us actually begins Dec. 21 at 11:04 p.m.

The same trick will apply for the start of spring, which will be 6:49 a.m. GMT, but will occur at 10:49 p.m. March 19 in Seattle.

See when the seasons begin for the next 10 years at aa.usno.navy.mil

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