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Long nights lead up to winter solstice

News imageBBC Weather Watchers/Minnie The green Northern Lights on the horizon. There is a large leafless tree in shadow on the right. On the horizon there looks to be lots of trees, also in shadow, with the lights shining above them. Above the green light is a dark blue, almost purple sky with loads of bright stars visible. BBC Weather Watchers/Minnie
Northern lights in Consett, County Durham on 13 December

It is winter solstice, marking the shortest day of the year.

Meteorological winter started on 1 December, but now astronomical winter is here.

Winter solstice is technically a specific moment and this year will happen at 15:03 GMT.

Across the North East and Cumbria, our Weather Watchers have been capturing pictures of the long nights leading up to now.

Here are some of our favourites.

News imageBBC Weather Watchers/DurhamAnne A shadowed figure walking along the a street. To the left is a row of old, white houses with large windows. Some of the lights on the lower floors are on. There are orange lights lighting up the street. There is a patch of grass on the right of the street which is on an incline. There is a shadowed tree trunk in the foreground.BBC Weather Watchers/DurhamAnne
An evening stroll in Durham City
News imageBBC Weather Watchers/Figaro Silver strings of fairy lights above a square surrounded by red brick buildings. The sky above is dark blue. There is a tall street lamp with an orange light on the left, it has two multi-coloured banners hanging off the pole.BBC Weather Watchers/Figaro
Christmas lights shining in Morpeth, Northumberland
News imageBBC Weather Watchers/Cumbrian Stargzer A light blue, dusk sky which has wispy, dark grey clouds. The tree line below is mostly leafless and in shadows. The moon to the centre-right is small and a thin crescent shape. It has a golden glow.BBC Weather Watchers/Cumbrian Stargzer
A crescent moon at dusk in Haile, Cumbria
News imageBBC Weather Watchers/Olly A red, orange and yellow swirly sky which looks like lava. Houses cast in shadow are visible below.BBC Weather Watchers/Olly
Shorter days have started with dramatic sunrises, like this one in Hartlepool on 11 December

Find out how to join in with Weather Watchers here. Or send your photos to Look North.

Please also ensure you take your pictures safely and responsibly.

If you submit an image, you do so in accordance with the BBC's terms and conditions.

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