The dog days of summer are well and truly here — the weeks comprising the hottest, most sultry days of the year.
Did you know that the phrase is of astronomical significance?
The astronomical meaning of the dog days of summer refers to the period when the star Sirius, also known as the "Dog Star," rises and sets in conjunction with the Sun. This typically occurs during late July and early August and was historically associated with hot and sultry weather as Sirius is the brightest star in the Canis Major constellation and was believed to add its heat to that of the Sun during this time ☀️
The dog days won’t just live up to their reputation for being hot and humid.
They’ll also bark and even bite from time-to-time, somewhat like the pre-dog days… the storms and smoke will stick around 🫤
But I do see one change this week: a trend toward hotter temperatures. So far, the temperature has eclipsed 90 degrees at the main climate site in Poughkeepsie six times this year. Last year and the year before that, it had reached 90 on 13 days through today’s date.
This map highlights (🔴) all of the states that are forecast to reach 90 degrees at some point in the next 10 days:
Can you locate the only state not shaded?
As for our weather, like the map above suggests, it’s getting hot in here!
Monday: turning more humid with hit-and-miss PM showers and storms
Tuesday: like Monday!
Wednesday: turning hotter, but sunshine may be filtered by wildfire smoke 💨
Thursday: feeling hot, hot, hot 😎
Friday: remaining very hot and humid… heavy storms can’t be ruled out 🌡️ ⚡
Saturday-Sunday: a front may bring showers and storms, some heavy, on Saturday; the front may clear on Sunday, but it’s not certain as of this writing…
The week of July 31st isn’t look as hot, but the tendency for frequent showers and thunderstorms may remain…
My newsletter next week will come with an August preview for premium subscribers.
Enjoy the dog days ✌️
Is it too early to start thinking about winter? 😉
My next premium post will be a preview of the climate drivers taking hold of the steering wheel for next winter ☃️
I had a chance to speak with Brian PJ Cronin of the Highlands Current regarding my Hudson Valley climate change dashboard this past week. If you’re after some additional reading material, check it out: https://highlandscurrent.org/2023/07/21/watching-from-afar/
A climate change dashboard for the Hudson Valley
I’m pleased to share a brand new climate resource for Hudson Valley educators, farmers, growers, long-term planners, policy-makers, and anyone who is interested in tracking our changing climate. This is a project I’ve long wanted to embark on to provide some baseline information for our region. The process is largely automated, such that every year I’ll be able to run a script by around January 10th that summarizes the climate over the last year and
Speaking of the Dog Star, this song has special meaning for anyone who takes the sailors' chance of a life "free" from the typical:
From "Lost Sailor" (Weir/Barlow)
"Compass card is spinning, helm is swinging to and fro
Oh, where is the dog star, oh, where's the moon.
You're a lost sailor, been away too long at sea.
Now the shorelines beckon, yes there's a price for being free.
Somedays the gales are howling, sometimes the sea is still as glass.
Oh, raise the main sail, oh, lash the mast.
You're a lost sailor, been away too long at sea.
Now the shorelines beckon, there is a price for being free.
There's a sea bird cryin' and there's a ghost wind blowing
And it's calling you, to that misty swirling sea.
Till the chains of your dreams are broken,
No place in this world you can be.
You're a lost sailor, been away too long at sea.
Now the shorelines beckon, there is a price for being free."