Ice cream and swimsuits herald first day of summer

For those who are surprised that today is the first day of summer, given our recent stretch of days over 90 degrees with triple-digit heat indices, you’re doubtfully going to welcome what will surely be even hotter days ahead in July and August.

But this is Oklahoma, and at 9:58 a.m. today, the summer solstice occurred, heralding the start of summer. Today is the day with the longest period of sunlight hours, and tonight will be the shortest night of the year.

And while summer may mean fun in the sun quenched by triple-dip ice cream cones, splashing in a swimming pool and even lazy days dozing in a hammock while sipping a refreshing beverage, the one thing for which summer is known — longer days for more time enjoying the outdoors — is a misnomer. Beginning tomorrow, the days will actually start getting shorter. Today’s the peak, with us losing a few seconds of sunlight each day until September — and the approach of the autumnal equinox — when that daylight loss starts speeding up.

And while you may not have noticed the past week or so, the earliest sunrises of the year have been occurring leading up to today’s summer solstice.

And with the shortening of days, that means the glorious sunsets for which Oklahoma is known will begin earlier and earlier.

But if you’re one of those who likes to bask in the warmth and beauty of the sun slipping below the western horizon, you’ve still got a little time to savor the dwindling sunlight. The latest sunsets of the year will occur for the next several days following solstice. Sure, we’ll continue to have daily sunsets, but they’ll also start occurring earlier and earlier in the day.

So enjoy those long romantic summertime sunsets for the next week.

And for those looking forward to the anticipated chill that the winter solstice suggests, the first day of winter will occur in 185 days on Dec. 22. Break out the blankets, mix up some hot chocolate and light the fire.