Sand can be either warm or cool, depending on several factors, most notably the amount of direct sunlight it's exposed to.
Here's a breakdown:
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Direct Sunlight: If sand is exposed to direct sunlight, it will absorb the solar energy and become warm, even hot. This is because sand has a relatively low specific heat capacity, meaning it doesn't take much energy to raise its temperature.
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Shade: Conversely, if sand is shaded (e.g., under a tree, a building, or even just a cloud cover), it will remain cooler. It may even feel cool or cold to the touch, especially if the surrounding air temperature is also low.
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Time of Day: Sand temperature fluctuates throughout the day. It will be coolest in the early morning before the sun has had a chance to heat it up. It will be warmest in the afternoon when the sun is at its peak.
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Depth: The surface of the sand heats up or cools down much more quickly than the sand underneath. Therefore, even on a hot day, digging down a few inches can reveal much cooler sand.
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Moisture: Wet sand will generally feel cooler than dry sand because the water absorbs some of the heat due to its higher heat capacity and through evaporative cooling.
In the context of color palettes, "sand" is often used to describe a neutral color with a warm undertone. This refers to the visual appearance of certain sands that have a golden or yellow hue, suggesting warmth. However, this is separate from the actual temperature of the sand itself.
