Summer Solstice Marks Longest Day of the Year

It's the first day of summer, but the outlook at the Shore isn't too sunny.

Temperatures here in Berkeley Township will top out at about 80 today, but skies will remain mostly cloudy with a slight chance of showers, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters say a few nearby fronts are expected to bring atmospheric instability in our area for the rest of the weak, meaning showers and storms are possible straight through to the beginning of next week. 

Here's the outlook for southern Ocean for the next few days:

• Wednesday: Chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent; new rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, but higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

• Wednesday night: Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

• Thursday: Chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

• Thursday Night: Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, but higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

• Friday: Chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 8 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Wondering about the significance of today, June 21? Here are the facts:

• The summer solstice – the moment the sun reaches its highest point in the sky at noon – occurs today in the northern hemisphere at 1:16 p.m. eastern time.

• That means the earth's axis is at maximum tilt in one direction, and that today is the longest day of the year.

• The word "solstice" comes from the Latin words sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still). Ancient observers noted that on the summer and winter solstices, the sun appears to halt in its day-by-day sideways journey along the horizon and swing back in the other direction.

• The term "solstice" is commonly used to describe the day of the astronomical phenomenon, and many ancient celebrations centered around this day. In parts of Europe, this week in June is known as Midsummer – a little confusing, since we start the calendar summer on the solstice – and people still mark the occasion with bonfires and other traditions.