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darrellbear t1_j8ps4g0 wrote

Northern hemisphere winter happens when the Earth is relatively close to the Sun in its orbit, so we have that going for us. Winters would be colder and summers hotter if we were farther from the Sun during our winter.

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unhearme t1_j8r17eb wrote

The orbit around the Sun while elliptical is almost circular. Closest 91million miles, furthest 94 million miles.

The coldness during winter is due to the tilt of the earth more than a minor change in distance. Seasons change because of the tilt of the Earth which orbits the Sun about a tilted axis of 23 degrees.

During Winter in the North, the North Pole is tilted away from the Earth so the North has less direct rays from the sun while the South is tilted towards the Sun with more direct rays causing Summer.

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