Why are you more likely to see a mirage on a hot day?

You are more likely to see a mirage on a hot day because the ground heats up, causing the air just above it to warm up as well. This temperature gradient results in light bending or refracting differently at various layers of air. When light from the sky hits the hot air near the ground, it can create the illusion of water or a reflective surface, which is perceived as a mirage. Such conditions are more prevalent in hot weather, where the temperature differential is greater.