The Ozarks have enjoyed a nice break from the heat and humidity recently, but it is July, and it’s only a matter of time before both return. Next week, Missouri and Arkansas will have a chance at hitting the triple digits. In Springfield, the last 100-degree day was on August 20, 2023, so it’s been a few years.
This time of year is described by many as the dog days of summer, but what exactly does that mean?
What and When are the Dog Days of Summer?
Turns out it has very little to do with actual dogs, and everything to do with astronomy. Ancient stargazers noticed late in the summer that the star Sirius reappears in the sky. Sirius is known as the dog star, getting its name from the constellation Canis Major, or Greater Dog, where the star is found.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac identifies the dog days of summer as being from July 3 to August 11, 40 days. The dog days of summer happen weeks after the longest day of the year (June 21), so why is this time of year often recognized as the hottest?
Seasonal Lag
It has to do with something called seasonal lag. Seasonal lag is the delay between peak solar energy and the hottest temperatures of the year…