I have often pondered ...

[bobleponge]

And someone will now answer.

I firmly believe there is no such thing as a stupid question, what's stupid is to not know the answer and to not ask the question.

Thus:

We have just had the winter solstice, 21st December, shortest day. Our days now have more daylight, by over a minute a day until June. Why then, does it statistically get colder over January and February before finally starting to warm up in March, if we have more daylight, thus sunlight as of the 22nd December??

[TPeers]

Mainly because of the maritime influence.

I'll try and explain. All summer the sea slowly absorbs heat from the sun, and like a radiator gives it off in the autumn and winter - finally cooling to minimum in about late Jan early Feb. Hense we keep getting colder until then.

The sea won't start to warm again until after the spring solstice.

[bobleponge]

I can see how that would work on an island, especially a small one like ours.
But northern European countries in the middle of a continental land mass have the same climatic conditions, can the sea really be responsible for countries many hundreds if not more miles inland?

[Nicos]

Cor blimey matey!!!...that's a good un!

OK- if I recall, it's something to do with the land and sea releasing stored heat until it equals what it's absorbing from the sun. So it's usually about a month after the shortest day that the earth /sea start to warm up- so it takes until about the 21t Feb until it reaches the temp of 21st Dec.

...can I go and rest now please????


edit- land loses and gains heat quicker than the sea

[TPeers]

To some extent. In the case of areas like Russia and America it is large lakes giving up heat. You then have to factor in the reflective qualities of snow causing a chilling effect.

[Nicos]

urrmm..now I'm getting confused!!

[TPeers]

urrmm..now I'm getting confused!!

Which bit?

[bobleponge]

Well, I need ponder no more.
I thank you 2 laydee genius' for answering my question.

[TPeers]

My aunt and uncle are both geography teachers - my uncle got an OBE for 'services to education' FGS!

It wasn't so much I liked geography.......

[Nicos]

tis ok- I found this....

CCMR - Ask A Scientist!

(It was the continental/sea bit I was trying to work out, until I realised it's an overall effect!)

[bobleponge]

I just dont like not knowing "stuff."
Thanks to TPeers' uncle, OBE, I am suitably knowledged up in this department.

[lynda66]

silly bob, tis cos it's winter *tuts

[TPeers]

silly bob, tis cos it's winter *tuts

Ahhh.... I'm sorry!

[julesapple]

My tame scientist says it's something to do with the 22 year Perihelion. As I've just had a large glass of wine with my dinner, I didn't push for an explanation. I do tend to feel stoopid if I don't understand. What a lovely word though.....

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perihelion


Jules

[Nicos]

I just dont like not knowing "stuff."

I know the feeling!
I often wake in the night and a French word pops into my head and I've no idea what it means...so - naturally- I have to wake my 'dictionary' and ask him what it means...I never realisd just how many words could mean "for goodness sake woman"