It is quite normal to assume that winter will be colder than summers because earth is farther from sun during the cold season. The truth is, in fact, contrary to the popular belief. Actually, sun is farthest from the earth during summer and closest in winter. It is the angle of sun's rays striking the earth, which makes all the difference. If you want to know more about why winter is colder than summer, go through the following lines.
Why Are Winters Colder Than Summers
- The prime reason behind the difference in temperature in summer and winter season is the angle at which sun's rays strike the earth.
- Longer duration of daylight in summer is another reason for warm summers and cold winters.
- The season in Northern Hemisphere is summer, when that part of the earth is angled towards the sun. Although the sun is actually farther away during that time, it is positioned directly overhead, which makes the temperature warm, giving rise to summer season.
- We experience cold temperature in the Northern Hemisphere, when that portion of the earth is angled away from the sun. Even though the sun is closer to earth during that time, its rays strike the planet at a much greater slant than they do during summer season. As a result, the part experiences cold temperature, thus giving rise to winter season.
- Another reason for winter being colder than summer is earth's axis of rotation. It is tilted at an angle of 23.5o w.r.t North, relative to the planet's path around the sun.
- Since we are tilted towards the sun in the summer and away from it during winter, we experience the latter to be colder than the former.
