Cloudy nights are warmer than clear nights because

Correct option is A

Correct Answer:A. Greenhouse effect

• On cloudy nights, the clouds act as a barrier to the escape of heat from the Earth's surface, trapping it in the lower atmosphere. This phenomenon is known as the greenhouse effect.

• Clouds absorb and re-radiate some of the heat that would otherwise escape into space, keeping the surface temperature higher than on clear nights.

• Greenhouse Effect: In the atmosphere, gases like CO2, methane, and water vapor act like the glass of a greenhouse, allowing sunlight in and trapping heat. Clouds also contribute to this effect by reflecting infrared radiation back to the Earth's surface.

• On clear nights, the heat radiates directly into space with minimal obstruction, leading to cooler temperatures.

• Other options:

  • Depletion of the ozone layer: Affects UV radiation but not directly linked to night-time temperatures.

  • Insolation: Refers to the amount of solar radiation received by the Earth's surface, mostly relevant during the day.

  • Hindrance to terrestrial radiation: While clouds block radiation, they primarily do this because of the greenhouse effect.