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Ask the Meteorologist: How can we be so hot when we're farthest from the sun in our orbit?
WRAL • • science
Key Points:
- The Triangle experienced its hottest Fourth of July on record at 103 degrees, followed by a record high of 102 degrees in Fayetteville the next day.
- Despite these high temperatures, the Earth is currently at aphelion, its farthest point from the sun, approximately 94.5 million miles away as of July 6.
- Earth’s seasons are caused by its 23.5-degree axial tilt, not its distance from the sun; the northern hemisphere is tilted toward the sun during summer, resulting in warmer temperatures.
- Earth moves slowest in its orbit at aphelion, traveling about 2,240 mph slower than in January, but still at a rapid speed of 65,500 mph.
- Since the summer solstice on June 21, Raleigh has experienced its sixth-warmest period on record and is now losing daylight, with over an hour less expected in the next six weeks.
