Eg, why doesn't it start to get warmer on Dec 22nd when the sun begins it journey back?
2007-12-18 06:54:01 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
The choice of the winter solstice for the start of winter is somewhat arbitrary, as is the choice of the summer solstice for the start of summer. It would make a certain amount of sense to find the coldest 3 month period for where you are, then choose the start of winter at the start of that period. However, that would be different for each location. The general reason that the seasons lag the sun is that the Earth takes time to heat and cool down. The solstices are reasonable choices for the starts of winter and summer, but they don't work well in all places.
2007-12-18 08:37:04 · answer #1 · answered by pegminer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's just how the Solstice is defined.
As for why it doesn't start to warm up, it is because there is a lag effect between when the northern hemisphere starts to see an increase in incoming solar radiation, and when it responds with an increase in outgoing radiation (heat). It takes about 4-6 weeks for the increase in incoming energy to be translated into an increase in outgoing energy. The same effect is true at the Summer Solstice. The average warmest time of year is about 4-6 weeks AFTER the Summer Solstice.
2007-12-18 06:59:30 · answer #2 · answered by cyswxman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Choosing to start winter on the solstice is human artefact and has no scientific basis. It makes far more sense to start it on the 1st of the month in which the solstice falls- which is what we do in Australia. If you are trying to calculate seasonal statistics, it is much easier to deal with complete months than to worry about what date the solstice fell on this year.
2007-12-18 11:29:55 · answer #3 · answered by tentofield 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It has to do with the tilt of the axis, not the distance from the sun. Actually, the Earth is farthest from the sun in July and is closest to the sun in January.
2007-12-18 07:02:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
It is still colder after the solstace than before it. Winter is the period of cold.
2007-12-18 07:01:18 · answer #5 · answered by Edward S 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is somewhat arbitrary, but then it makes the most sense. How would you have done it and on what basis?
2007-12-18 08:25:54 · answer #6 · answered by 1ofSelby's 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋