eli5: why does it get so cold in the desert at night.

Question

Let’s take the Sahara for example, it’s a lot closer to the equator, yet at night temperatures fall to -4c (25f). Yet in the uk which is a lot further away from the equator, the night temperatures are around 15c (60f) during the summer. Why is this?

In: 97

Answer 1

I have something interesting for you. Not sure where you live. But if it is cold in the winter, bring in your (assumed natural) Christmas tree from outside and lay a thermometer below it when you cut the netting or string off the tree.