Earth is closest to the sun, so why is it freezing?

On January 4, 2025, Earth reached its perihelion, the closest point to the sun in its annual elliptical orbit, occurring at 09:00 Universal Time. At this point, Earth was approximately 147 million kilometers (or 91 million miles) from the sun. Perihelion occurs once a year and is characterized by slight increases in solar energy, with about 7% more sunlight reaching the planet compared to when Earth is at aphelion, the furthest point from the sun. Despite this increase in solar radiation during perihelion, many parts of the world experience cold temperatures, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere. This seeming contradiction can be attributed to the axial tilt of the Earth, which significantly influences seasonal weather patterns. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is winter, which results in lower temperatures regardless of the proximity to the sun. January, therefore, is typically cold even though the Earth is closest to the sun. In the Southern Hemisphere, the scenario is slightly different. While sunlight intensity increases during perihelion as compared to aphelion, much of the Southern Hemisphere consists of ocean, which moderates temperature compared to land. Hence, the seasonal contrasts experienced in the two hemispheres are uniquely shaped by the geographical features of each hemisphere. This year notably features a solar maximum, which can enhance displays of the Northern Lights, yet this phenomenon has minimal impact on global climate trends. Moreover, it is essential to understand the intricate dance between Earth’s movement and its axial tilt. The axial tilt of about 23.5 degrees creates seasons, as the Earth orbits the sun. During perihelion, the tilt can mean that certain regions receive less direct sunlight, leading to colder conditions, thus emphasizing that mere proximity to the sun does not determine temperature.