July/August hottest months (northern hemisphere): because of continued warming or other effects?

Question

In the northern hemisphere, July and August are the hottest months statistically¹, but the days start shortening after June 21st. Is this just because the Northern Hemisphere keeps heating up after June 21st (just like the hottest part of a day is not when the sun is highest, but some hours later), or are other effects at play? To my limited experience, Europe specifically, but maybe other northern parts as well. And the questions goes for other months in the southern hemisphere, of course.

Answer 1

You are on the right track.

There is a delayed effect between when the most intense energy from the Sun reaches the Earth and the associated time it takes to heat up the Earth's atmosphere and surface. For example, the Sun is at the highest point in the sky at noon, yet the warmest part of the day is after noon between the hours of 12 and 2. This is when the most intense energy form the Sun has had a chance to be absorbed and radiated into Earth's atmosphere.

Remember, we are discussing the patterns associated with weather which is distinctly different than climate.