Why does the temperature seem innacurate?

Although our weather thermometer is mounted on the north side of the building and under the eave, it often reads too high, especially on sunny afternoons.

I believe this is due to a cliff we have only about 20 feet from the building. This cliff consists of exposed rocks that I believe absorb the daytime sun and radiate this heat back to the thermometer.

Having no other suitable place to put the thermometer, I guess we'll just have to live with that.