What June solstice means for the Philippines

June 21 marks the longest day of the year for countries in the Northern Hemisphere which includes the Philippines, signaling the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

State weather bureau PAGASA explained the June solstice, also known as the Northern solstice, occurs when the sun reaches its most northerly point in the sky, resulting in the longest day and the shortest night of the year.

“Solstice” comes from the Latin "solstitium," which means “sun standing still.” It refers to the sun’s angle above the horizon at solar noon; the higher the altitude, the more overhead the sun appears.

“At 4:24 PM (Philippine Time) today, the Earth reaches a special point in its journey around the Sun called the June Solstice,” PAGASA said in a social media post.

But what does it mean for those living in the Philippines?

PAGASA said the Philippines will also experience one of the longest days of the year, with the sun appearing higher in the sky at noon and daylight lasting slightly longer than usual, while the night becomes slightly shorter.

Since the Philippines has only two seasons—wet and dry—the June solstice is only an astronomical marker indicating that the sun has reached its northernmost position in the sky.

Given that the Philippines is close to the equator, PAGASA said the difference between the country's longest and shortest days is small.

“Even during the June solstice, we receive about 13 hours of daylight, compared to some countries farther north that can experience up to 18 hours of daylight,” PAGASA said.

PAGASA added the weather stations estimates the following sunrise, sunset, and daylight duration:

• Science Garden, Quezon City- 5:28 a.m. and 6:27 p.m. (12h 59m)
• Tuguegarao City, Cagayan- 5:19 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. (13h 11m)
• Legazpi City, Albay - 5:20 a.m. and 6:14 p.m. (12h 54m)
• Mactan, Cebu - 5:24 a.m. and 6:08 p.m. (12h 44m)
• El Salvador, Misamis Oriental - 5:25 a.m. and 6:02 p.m. (12h 37m)

PAGASA reminded the public to stay hydrated, wear sun- or heat-protective clothing, use an umbrella, and limit exposure to the strong midday sun. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA News