The Conversation
How the Earth’s tilt creates short, cold January days
The Sun rises in Midland, Michigan, shortly after 8a.m. on Jan. 13, 2017. Christian Collins/Flickr, CC BY-SAAbove the equator, winter officially begins in December. But in many areas, January is when it really takes hold. Atmospheric scientist Deanna Hence explains the weather and climate factors that combine to produce wintry conditions at the turn of the year. How does the Earth’s orbit influence our daylight and temperatures? As the Earth orbits the sun, it spins around an axis – picture a st