While the unusually frigid weeks leading up to today might have fooled some of us, winter didn't officially start until 12:00 a.m. this morning. Marked annually by the winter solstice, an astronomical event where the earth's axis tilts as far as it can away from the sun, the beginning of winter always falls either on the 22^nd or, as it has this year, the 21^st.

Though a grim harbinger for the cold-averse among us, the winter solstice also ushers in an annual trend we non-nocturnals can appreciate: the days after it get longer. Today, is the shortest day of the year, meaning all days after will steadily increase in length until peaking on June 21, next year's summer solstice. From there days will shorten until the next winter solstice.   

16 out of the first 20 days of December in D.C. saw lows at or below freezing, according to Weather.com, and temperatures this month registered seven degrees below average, according to The Washington Post.

From the gusty street corridor of Wisconsin Avenue to the frozen dirt paths of Rock Creek Park, this December has got many Chevy Chase residents shivering a bit earlier than normal. Winter, some would say, arrived rudely early, and today's official notice is long overdue.

Expect little respite today. Weather.com predicts a high of 37 degrees and a low of 27 degrees. But remember to take at least some comfort: tomorrow – and a year of days after it – will last longer than today.