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funnyman95 t1_izbmsdy wrote

Reply to comment by CrustalTrudger in Why are Day/Night temperature changes larger in summer than in winter? by photenth

Could it also just be a % change as well? Like in the summer if it’s 90F during the day but 65F at night, vs 40 during the day and 30 at night, both are around a 25% temp drop.

This alone seems like it could mostly explain away OPs findings

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CrustalTrudger t1_izc604f wrote

This is not supported by any of the cited literature.

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funnyman95 t1_izfllkz wrote

but like, just do the math.... How is it wrong?

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CrustalTrudger t1_izfslal wrote

It's wrong because much of the data is not consistent with your idea if you do the math. The data presented in Leathers et al 1998 is useful here as they consider how Tmax varies with DTR. Even for those with a linear Tmax to DTR relationship, these don't have consistent percentage drops (and so your explanation doesn't work). Additionally, as described in the original answer, many sites have very complicated relationships between Tmax and DTR and with variable timing of seasonal maxes of DTR. For example, one site where at days with a Tmax of nearly 30 C and those with a Tmax of -5 C have the same DTR of ~12 C (with a minimum in DTR with a Tmax of 5 C). I.e., looking at actual data highlights that your explanation is not useful as a broad explanation.

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