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Why in the middle of winter, it’s usually colder when it’s sunny and warmer when it’s cloudy but in the middle of summer, it’s usually the opposite ?

Dr. Aris Thorne
Dr. Aris Thorne
Senior Science Editor · Mar 16, 2026 · Updated Apr 13, 2026

Not an expert, but IIRC The clouds in the winter hold in the heat from the sun creating a greenhouse effect increasing the temperature a small amount. The clouds in the summer (depending on how humidity applies towards a sticky or steamy element in the air) block some of the sun's rays and cool y…

61
Words

1 min
Read Time

#259
of 500 in Nature

-14%
vs Category Avg

The Short Answer

Not an expert, but IIRC The clouds in the winter hold in the heat from the sun creating a greenhouse effect increasing the temperature a small amount. The clouds in the summer (depending on how humidity applies towards a sticky or steamy element in the air) block some of the sun's rays and cool you off. Hope that sums it up!

Analysis

Key Concepts: Clouds, expert, iirc

This explanation focuses on clouds, expert, iirc and spans 61 words across 3 sentences. The depth is typical for Nature questions (category average: 71 words), striking a balance between accessibility and completeness.

What This Answer Covers

The explanation opens with: “Not an expert, but IIRC The clouds in the winter hold in the heat from the sun creating a greenhouse effect increasing t” It then elaborates by presenting a contrasting perspective, ultimately building toward a complete picture across 3 connected points.

How This Compares in Nature

Ranked #259 of 500 Nature questions by answer depth (top 53%). This is in the concise tier — a focused explanation that prioritizes clarity over exhaustiveness. Many readers prefer this level of directness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a simple explanation for why why in the middle of winter, it's usually colder when it's sunny and warmer when it's cloudy but in the middle of summer, it's usually the opposite ?

Not an expert, but IIRC The clouds in the winter hold in the heat from the sun creating a greenhouse effect increasing the temperature a small amount. The clouds in the summer (depending on how humidity applies towards a sticky or steamy element in…

How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Nature questions?

This is a focused answer at 61 words, ranked #259 of 500 Nature questions by depth. The key concepts covered are clouds, expert, iirc.

What approach does this answer take to explain why in the middle of winter, it's usually colder when it's s?

The explanation uses contrasting perspectives across 61 words. It is categorized under Nature and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.