Why is there more ice in the southern hemisphere throughout Antartica since southern gets more intense heat?

Question

Since the earth is 3 million miles closer to the sun during December, doesn't it make sense that there would be more intense heat and thus less ice. However, there is more ice than in the north. WHY???

Answer 1

We may be closer in December but are further in July, so even if Antarctica gets more light now, it will get even less in their winter/night.
Loot at it this way. Northern hemisphere is closer to the sun during winter, which makes those winter a bit less cold. And further in summer so that makes summer less hot.
So, Antarctica should get slightly warmer local summer than the North pole does, and colder winters.
To this, one has to add the sea current and the wind. Northern hemisphere has continent in the way, so warm tropical waters have to flow north, warming Northern Europe in the case of the Gulf Stream. In the Southern hemisphere, it is a ocean all around, nothing to direct warm water South.

Answer 2

The South, meaning below the equator, acts the same as the Northern half of the equator. The exception would be the Poles. The North Pole is surrounded with water. The South Pole has a huge continent located there, Antarctica, and it is made mostly of ice. Antarctica is the explanation for why there is more ice in the South.

Answer 3

I think because Antarctica is a continent. Also, the Earth is actually a bit farther away from the sun during the southern winter than it is during the northern winter. But I dont know if that has anything to do with it.

Love Jack

Answer 4

Ice is very good at reflecting sunlight, and Antarctica is surreounded by oceans, which are very good at absorbing heat. It is also much colder, for this reason, in the winter. It is not warmth that determines ice (in melting it), but cold (in preserving it).

Answer 5

because the antartic is land based.