Why It's Hottest After Noon: Hottest time of day explained

Hottest Time of Day Explained Why Isn't It Hottest at High Noon? The Mystery of Thermal Lag Ever wonder why the hottest part of the day usually isn't precisely when the sun is directly overhead? It's counterintuitive, but the Earth's response to solar energy isn't instantaneous. Instead, it exhibits thermal lag, a delay between peak solar radiation and the maximum air temperature. Think of it like this: a black car sitting in the sun will continue to heat up even after the sun has moved slightly....

May 23, 2025 · 5 min · 974 words · Louise Malchow