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The Environment / Re: Why in spring are the day and night temperatures so different
« on: Today at 09:22:09 »
Just to add to what Alan is saying - same thing but different words
There are 2 factors that will affect this:
Ground heat capacity. During winter/spring the sun is lower in sky and doesn’t heat the ground as much as in summer when sun is higher in sky. This heat is radiated back out at night.
Water vapour. Summer has more water vapour in air. This absorbs heat during the day and not only acts as a thermal blanket at night, but also traps the reradiated heat from the ground. This is also why deserts get so cold at night.
There are 2 factors that will affect this:
Ground heat capacity. During winter/spring the sun is lower in sky and doesn’t heat the ground as much as in summer when sun is higher in sky. This heat is radiated back out at night.
Water vapour. Summer has more water vapour in air. This absorbs heat during the day and not only acts as a thermal blanket at night, but also traps the reradiated heat from the ground. This is also why deserts get so cold at night.