CHARLOTTE, N.C. — July is the hottest month of the year and we officially are into dog days of summer! But did you know the dog days of summer have nothing to do with our canine friends?
The dog days of summer
Did you know the dog days of summer have an actual start and end date? From July 3 to Aug. 11, you can officially call it the "dog days of summer."
This time of year gets its name from a dog but probably not the one you're thinking of. Its name comes from Sirius, the dog star, which is the brightest star in the sky.
During the dog days of summer, this star rises and sets around the same time as the sun. The ancient Greeks and Romans thought the power of these two stars is why this time of the year was the hottest in the Northern Hemisphere.
On July 23, Sirius rises exactly in sync with the sun. The dog days of summer happen 20 days before and 20 days after this date, hence the July 3 to Aug. 11 window.
The "dog days" for Charlotte
Even though Sirius had nothing to do with the intense heat this time of year, it does align closely with Charlotte's hottest days. Charlotte averages 90-plus degrees from June 28 to Aug. 8. Our hottest stretch is from July 11-21 with an average high of 91 degrees.
It's hot and humid during the dog days, so always stay hydrated, protect your skin and be mindful of how the heat affects your body.
For most of the Charlotte area, when heat indices reach 105 degrees, the National Weather Service will issue a Heat Advisory. And 110 or greater will prompt an Excessive Heat Warning.
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