Why do temperatures peak in the mid-afternoon and not at solar noon?

Temperatures peak in the mid-afternoon due to the balance of incoming solar radiation and outgoing energy. At solar noon, when the sun is highest in the sky, the solar radiation absorbed by the Earth's surface is at its maximum. However, it is important to note that the Earth continues to absorb heat from the sun for about two to four hours after noon. During this period, the energy received exceeds the energy lost due to processes like outgoing radiation, which takes time to equilibrate.

The peak in temperature occurs later in the afternoon as the accumulated heat during this time gradually increases surface temperatures. This phenomenon shows that while solar noon has the maximum solar input, the lag in energy loss and heat retention results in the warmest temperatures occurring in the afternoon.

Other considerations like humidity and cloud cover can impact temperatures, but they do not directly explain the timing of peak temperatures as the balance of incoming and outgoing radiation does.