Why does it stay warm when the sun is behind a cloud?

When the sun is behind a cloud it still stays warm,

how is that possible ?

Asker: Hannelore, 14 years old

Answer

Dear Hannelore

When it is very hot, it is nice if a cloud appears in front of the sun. It then feels noticeably cooler because the direct sunlight no longer hits the body. However, the ambient temperature does not change significantly at that time and so it can still remain very warm. Only when the sun has disappeared for a longer period of time, behind the clouds or behind the horizon, does the air lose more heat than it receives from the sun and the ambient temperature will also decrease significantly until the sun comes out again.

Why does it stay warm when the sun is behind a cloud?

Answered by

Prof. dr. Robert Speijer

Geology – Paleontology – Paleoclimatology. You study geology in Leuven!

Catholic University of Leuven
Old Market 13 3000 Leuven
https://www.kuleuven.be/

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