Higher latitude causes northern states to experience greater seasonal temperature variation than southern states.

Latitude plays a key role in seasonal temperature variation, with northern states experiencing more extreme seasonal changes than southern states. Higher latitude locations receive less direct sunlight in winter and more in summer, leading to colder winters and hotter summers. This contrast results in noticeable seasonal shifts in northern states compared to southern states, which are closer to the equator and experience more stable sunlight and temperatures year-round. The effect of latitude on sunlight intensity and duration is why places like Minnesota have colder winters and hotter summers than states further south, where temperatures remain more consistent across seasons.