Summer is the most celebrated season by people of all ages. Adults enjoy basking under the sun, while kids get to relax during the summer holidays. It is also the perfect time for families to go on vacation or hold festivals and weddings. However, there is more to summer than most people know. Here are some lesser-known facts about summer.
1. Gasoline Becomes More Expensive During Summer
Motorists who are always keen on fuel prices must have noticed that gas becomes more expensive when the weather starts getting better. That’s because gas stations must switch from winter-grade fuel to summer-grade fuel, which is costlier to produce. The change in the fuel type is aimed at protecting the environment and is enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency.
2. Earth is Closer to the Sun During Winter and Not Summer
Contrary to popular belief, the earth is not closer to the sun during summer; this is so during winter. In the Northern Hemisphere, the earth becomes closer to the sun in January, which is during winter. It’s farthest from the sun in July, which is during summer. In the same breath, the proximity to the sun does not control seasons – they are controlled by the earth’s spin axis.
3. It Takes Longer for Human Beings to Fall Asleep in Summer
For sleep to occur, the human body needs to drop its temperature by 1 or 2 degrees. Because of the high temperatures experienced in summer, it takes longer for the body to achieve this, and it becomes harder to fall asleep. Also, people experience frequent awakenings during summer nights. The increase in daylight hours also contributes to poor sleeping patterns during this season.
4. There was a Nazi Summer Camp on Long Island
Ideally, summer camps are safe spaces for children to learn new skills and socialize with peers. However, in the 1930s, there was a summer camp in Long Island that helped spread the Nazi Ideology. It was founded by the German American Bund, a Nazi-based organization with thousands of members across the US. There were similar camps in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. The kids here wore Nazi-branded attire and were introduced to various forms of military training.
5. In 1816, There was No Summer
One of the historical events that happened in 1816 is that there was no summer. Dubbed The Year Without a Summer, Mount Tambora in Indonesia erupted and spread a significant amount of ash in the air. This led to extremely low temperatures canceling out summer in that year. The other more severe effect was that there were food shortages.
6. Persians Invented Refrigerators in 400 BC for Storing Ice During Summer
In 400 BC, Persians had an ice pit called Yakhchal. It was more of a refrigerator that stored ice during the scorching summers in the desert. They were exceptionally big, rising to a height of up to 60 feet (18 meters).
7. The Eiffel Tower “Grows” in Summer
The Eiffel Tower in Paris “grows” by up to 6 inches in summer. When the temperatures go as high as 40 degrees Celsius, the base of the metal expands, thus increasing the structure’s height. To ensure safety, engineers of the Eiffel Tower had already considered the expansion and contraction of metal. The tip of the Eiffel Tower also tilts by several inches when exposed to extreme summer heat.
8. British Monarchs Have Birthdays in Summer
The late Queen of England had two birthdays, one on April 21, which was the day she was born, and another on the second Saturday of June. The Queen had two birthdays because the original date fell on a month considered too cold for the monarchy to hold a Trooping the Color parade. As such, she had to celebrate another birthday during summer because it was more convenient.
Interestingly, this tradition was not unique to the latest departed monarch; it has been passed down by many before. For instance, King George II didn’t hold a birthday parade in November (when he was born) for the same reason.
9. Ferrero Rocher Stops Selling Its Pralines during Summer
Ferrero Rocher Pralines are some of the most popular chocolates in the world. However, they are always removed from the market in summer because the manufacturer doesn’t want their product to melt due to the excess heat. The Pralines are re-introduced to the market when autumn comes.
10. Thunderstorms are Most Likely to Occur in Summer
There is a common misconception that thunderstorms occur mostly when it’s cold; it’s the exact opposite! When the air is warm and there is a lot of moisture in the atmosphere, it creates the perfect condition for a thunderstorm. These conditions mostly brew during the summer and spring.
11. Alaska Experiences the Midnight Sun during Summer
The people in northern Alaska experience something called the Midnight Sun during summer. This is when the sun shines 24 hours a day for about 70 days. It usually starts from May 10th to August 2nd. During winter, this area also experiences 67 days of darkness.
12. Summer is When Most Festivals are Held
Coachella, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Burning Man, and The Dragon Boat are all popular festivals held during summer. Unlike other seasons, summer creates the perfect conditions for the majority of public events.
Besides festivals, summer is also the go-to season for weddings and vacations. Most countries get more tourists during the warmer months of the year.
..Who in american education system thinks that lighting is more common in cold weather??