In the Northern Hemisphere, since the Winter Solstice, Dec 22nd, is the shortest day of the year, why is January the coldest month? Since the days get longer and there's more sunlight, shouldn't it be getting warmer?

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

I'd love to dig out my 7th grade science for you... but the answers a definitive no

I JUST gotta say that we get more light, but its light "lite"

~Nate

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95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

The earth is a large thermal flywheel. It has cooled for several months, and even with increasing sunlight, it takes time to warm it back up. Likewise, August is the hottest month, even though the longect day is June 21, or thereabouts.

My great-grandfather always said, "As the days get longer the cold gets stronger."

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1983 300-D turbo
1985 300-D turbo
1959 Harley Panhead chopper
1929 Ford coupe restored
I hang out with Boneheaddoctor at Schuman Automotive OBK#5
All liberals are mattoids but not all mattoids are liberal.

The Winter Solstice is also the first day of winter, but just in this hemisphere.

And, in the northern hemisphere winter, Earth is closer to the sun too.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

Although August seems hotter (maybe more humid, or just at the end of the long humid DC summer) July is hotter, if just by a little bit, in our neck of the woods.
regards,
Mark
Fairfax, VA

How about this explanation: Food still cooks a little more after its taken off the heat.

/

Kinda like a mini ice age? We get past a point of no return and plunge into a deep freeze. It takes significant amount of heat to cycle back to summer?

Makes sense.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/ast99/ast99578.htm

That's pretty much how it is here (shortest day -- coldest day / longest day -- hottest day). Move to the desert and the world makes more sense.

Not for me Ron. Too damn hot down there. When I retire I'm going to spend April to October in Alaska and come back to North Dakota for the winter. I want be a true snow bird.

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1983 300-D turbo
1985 300-D turbo
1959 Harley Panhead chopper
1929 Ford coupe restored
I hang out with Boneheaddoctor at Schuman Automotive OBK#5
All liberals are mattoids but not all mattoids are liberal.

Yeah, folks around here pretty much think I'm nuts -- I love the summers here -- the hotter the better!

Winter is great for doing outdoors stuff. All the bears are hibernating.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

Same here -- you don't need nearly as much sunscreen.