Solstice 2025: Why the world's longest day isn’t its hottest and what happens after

The summer solstice on 21 June marks the longest day of 2024 in the Northern Hemisphere. While many believe this signals the peak of summer heat, science says otherwise. The sun reaches its highest point, but the warmest days usually follow later. This article breaks down what actually happens in the sky, how daylight varies across regions, why heat lags behind, and what changes to expect next — from shifting sunsets to twilight surprises and ancient calendar cues.