Final answer:
During the time when the north end of Earth's axis is tilted toward the Sun, North America experiences summer, characterized by increased direct sunlight and longer daylight hours.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the north end of Earth's axis is tilted toward the sun, North America will experience summer. This tilt of the Earth's axis, at an angle of 23.5°, causes the Northern Hemisphere to receive more direct sunlight and longer days during this time. As the Earth travels around the Sun in its orbit, seasons change due to this consistent axial tilt, not because of any significant variation in Earth's distance from the Sun. Hence, in June, when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, North Americans and Europeans witness the Sun high in the sky, which results in warmer temperatures and summer conditions.
There are two main reasons why summers are warmer: increased direct sunlight because the Sun's rays hit the Earth at a more direct angle, and longer day lengths, which allow for more hours of solar heating. Contrary to the belief that the distance between the Earth and the Sun is the primary cause, the moderate 3% change in distance is not enough to impact temperatures significantly.