Final answer:
The northern hemisphere experiences the least daylight during the winter solstice, typically on December 21. This is when the shortest day and longest night occur due to the North Pole's maximum tilt away from the Sun.
Step-by-step explanation:
The northern hemisphere receives the least daylight during the winter solstice, which typically occurs around December 21. On this date, the North Pole is tilted furthest away from the Sun, resulting in the shortest day and longest night of the year for locations in the northern hemisphere. Conversely, the Southern Hemisphere experiences its summer solstice at this time, with the longest day and shortest night of the year.
During the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, not only are the days at their shortest, but the Sun also takes its lowest and shortest path in the sky. This is why the weather tends to be colder, as there is less sunlight to warm the Earth's surface.
Equinoxes, which occur around March 21 and September 21, are times when day and night are approximately equal in length. The vernal equinox marks the beginning of spring, while the autumnal equinox signals the start of fall. However, these dates do not represent the times when daylight is at its minimum in the Northern Hemisphere—that is specific to the winter solstice.