Dog Days of Summer

Expert Advice What are the “Dog Days” of summer? The Old Farmer’s Almanac lists the traditional timing as the 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11. At this time, the Dog Star, Sirius, rises with the Sun. Sirius is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major. The rising of Sirius does not actually affect the weather, but for the ancient Egyptians, Sirius appeared just before the season of the Nile’s flooding, so they used the star as a “watchdog” for that event. Since its rising also coincided with a time of extreme heat, the connection with hot, sultry weather was made for all time.

Dog Days bright and clear, indicate a happy year. But when accompanied by rain, for better times our hopes are in vain. –Weather saying