Why does it stay lighter later in the midwest than in California?

Question

Was just in MN and it was light until 9:30PM. I would think CA, being on the west-most side of the time zone would have more evening daylight.

Answer 1

northern areas have shorter days during the winter and longer days during the summer.  closer to the equator, the daylight is average year round

Answer 2

I didn't know that it did. Mountains maybe? LOL Dunno.

Answer 3

The closer you are to the north pole, the longer the daylight during the summer.  It's the opposite in the winter- the closer you are to the north pole, the longer you are in the dark.

It's all because of how the Earth is tilted and how it orbits the Sun.