The seasons are caused by the tilt of Earth's axis leading to more direct sunlight and longer days in the summer, resulting in warmer temperatures.
Causes of the Seasons
The seasons are primarily caused by two factors related to the tilt of Earth's axis. First, during the summer, in places like the United States, Earth's tilt causes the Northern Hemisphere to lean towards the Sun, resulting in more direct sunlight and higher temperatures. Second, the tilt leads to longer daylight hours during summer months, providing more time for the Sun to heat the Earth. Contrary to common belief, the seasons are not significantly affected by the Earth's distance from the Sun, as the Earth's orbit only varies by about 3%.
Seasonal variations become greater as one moves farther from the equator, and the Southern Hemisphere experiences opposite seasons to the Northern Hemisphere. The tilt leads to a higher angle of sunlight during summer, increasing solar heating, and a lower angle during winter, meaning the rays spread over a larger area and offer less warming effect.