Q: Is the summer solstice the hottest day of the year?

Arabia Weather - Although this day is characterized by longer hours of sunlight, it will not be the hottest day of the year.

This is due to a concept known as “seasonal lag.” The Earth and its atmosphere take time to warm up, and this is similar to what happens during the day, with the hottest part being in the afternoon, rather than at noon when the sun is highest in the sky.

While the oceans, which cover about 70% of the Earth's surface, absorb, store, and release heat slowly, this property of the oceans contributes to the general delay in reaching maximum temperatures after the summer solstice.