Seasons and Temperatures
Why is it warmer in summer than in winter in countries like France? Because of the Earth's tilt, the same amount of energy sent by the Sun is concentrated over a small area in summer and spread over a much larger one in winter.
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Why is summer warmer than winter in France?
In summer, the Northern Hemisphere tilts towards the Sun. Sunlight arrives more directly and its energy is spread over a smaller area; days are also longer. The ground therefore receives more solar energy than in winter.
Why do the two hemispheres have opposite seasons?
Earth’s axis is tilted. When the Northern Hemisphere receives more direct sunlight and has summer, the Southern Hemisphere receives sunlight at a lower angle and has winter. The situation reverses about six months later.
Sources: NASA: Milankovitch Cycles and Earth’s Climate, NASA: An Epic View of the Seasons