Solstice Marks the Start of Summer, Today

Summer officially begins today with the annual Summer Solstice at 1:16 p.m. The longest day of the year may also be the hottest day of the year so far, with a forecast in the mid-eighties , according to WeaterBug.com, which supplies the weather info on Sonoma Patch.

The solstice, which falls on June 20 or 21 each year, occurs when the Earth's North Pole is tilted the most toward the sun, and the sun is at its highest point. 

Solstice comes from the Latin word solstitium, meaning "sol" (the sun) and "stit" (standing), according to the National Weather Service. The sun's position at noon actually changes very little in the days surrounding the solstice, hence the concept of the sun "standing still."

All science aside, the solstice marks the beginning of a season of long leisurely summer days? Maybe it's time to start thinking about , or activities to make the most of ?