Why Do Deserts Get Hot Days and Cold Nights?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hey, desert explorers! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do deserts get hot days and cold nights?

The Big Idea

Deserts can be scorching hot during the day and surprisingly cold at night. Dry air and clear skies let heat escape into space after sunset. So the temperature can swing by 20 degrees Celsius or more in a single day.

Sunny Days Bake

Step one: sunny days bake. Clear desert skies let the Sun's rays hit the ground with little blocking. The sand and rocks heat up quickly, and the air above them gets very hot.

Dry Air Holds Little Heat

Step two: dry air holds little heat. Water vapor acts like a blanket that holds heat in. Desert air has very little of it. So there is not much to keep the warmth around.

Heat Escapes at Night

Step three: heat escapes at night. After sunset, the ground sends its heat upward, and clear skies let it escape. With no clouds or humidity to hold it, the desert cools off fast.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at a desert day and night! In the day, the Sun heats the ground. At night, heat escapes through the clear sky. And the temperature drops, so you may need a jacket.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Daytime temperatures in some deserts can top 40 degrees Celsius. At night, the same places can fall to near freezing. Clouds and humid air act like a blanket and keep nights from getting so cold. In a desert, grown-ups bring plenty of water, sun protection, and a warm layer.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, pick a desert city and look up its forecast. Find the high for the day and the low for the night. Subtract to find the difference. Then ask: why does dry, clear air make for such a big swing?

Outro

Deserts bake by day and chill by night. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!