Amazing Additions

Did You Know?

Posted by Pam Pierson on Jun 24, 2013 3:57:00 PM
Did you know summer questionFriday, June 21, 2013 was the official summer solstice. Do you know why the first day of summer, which is the longest day of the year, isn't the hottest day of the year?

Earth’s atmosphere, land, and oceans absorb part of the incoming energy from the Sun and store it, releasing it back as heat at various rates. Water is slower to heat (or cool) than air or land. At the summer solstice, the Northern Hemisphere receives the most energy (highest intensity) from the Sun due to the angle of sunlight and day length. However, the land and oceans are still relatively cool, due to spring’s temperatures, so the maximum heating effect on air temperature is not felt just yet. Eventually, the land and, especially, oceans will release stored heat from the summer solstice back into the atmosphere. This usually results in the year’s hottest temperatures appearing in late July, August, or later, depending on latitude and other factors. This effect is called seasonal temperature lag.

Question posed: http://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-summer-summer-solstice