Did you know the earth is hottest when it is furthest from the sun on its orbit and not when it is closest?
During the period when the earth is furthest from the sun (aphelion), the average temperature of the entire planet is about 2.3C higher than when it is closest to the sun (perihelion). On average the intensity of sunlight falling on earth during aphelion is about 7% less than during perihelion.
So what is going on here!
During the winter months for the northern hemisphere, the southern hemisphere experiences summer. This is because much larger portion of the southern hemisphere compared to northern hemisphere is made up of water, has significantly greater heat capacity than land. During summer for the southern hemisphere the average temperature of the southern hemisphere does not increase as much as the northern hemisphere does during its summer for this same reason. This lands heats much faster than water cools down much slower than land. So even though there is less intensity of sunlight during the summer in northern hemisphere the earth temperature is higher at this time when its furthest from the sun. Earth is titled on its axis 23.5. This is why when it is summer in northern hemisphere, it is winter in southern hemisphere and vice versa.
During the period when the earth is furthest from the sun (aphelion), the average temperature of the entire planet is about 2.3C higher than when it is closest to the sun (perihelion). On average the intensity of sunlight falling on earth during aphelion is about 7% less than during perihelion.
So what is going on here!
During the winter months for the northern hemisphere, the southern hemisphere experiences summer. This is because much larger portion of the southern hemisphere compared to northern hemisphere is made up of water, has significantly greater heat capacity than land. During summer for the southern hemisphere the average temperature of the southern hemisphere does not increase as much as the northern hemisphere does during its summer for this same reason. This lands heats much faster than water cools down much slower than land. So even though there is less intensity of sunlight during the summer in northern hemisphere the earth temperature is higher at this time when its furthest from the sun. Earth is titled on its axis 23.5. This is why when it is summer in northern hemisphere, it is winter in southern hemisphere and vice versa.