4 Sizzling Facts About Summer Weather That May Surprise You!

Down in Florida, where I live, we seem to have summer weather for about 8 months out of the year. My friends up north say they’re lucky if they see any signs of summer for more than a few weeks at a time.

Of course, no matter where you live in the United States, sooner or later, hot, summer weather will find you — even if only for a short period of time.

But when exactly is summer? What causes summer weather? And what’s up with those “dog days” of summer?

The following 4 summer weather facts will, ahem, “warm up” your knowledge base about the hottest time of the year!

#1 Summer Weather Fact:
Summer Technically Occurs From June Through September

Many people think summer begins during Memorial Day weekend, or maybe when kids finish school before summer vacation. Summer is often thought to end the first Tuesday after Labor Day.

While you may have your own way of marking the start and finish of summer, here is the literal definition of when summer begins and ends:

• The start of the season is marked by the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, this is usually between June 20 and 22.
• The end of summer is marked by the fall equinox, when day and night are about equal in length. The fall equinox commonly occurs on September 22 or 23.

See when the first day of summer begins each year.

#2 Summer Weather Fact:
The Forecast For Summer Is Usually “Hot” With A Strong Chance Of More Heat

Based on where you live, summer weather will have already set in by the start of the season as it is marked on the calendar, or it will peak very soon after.

Summer weather is usually marked by:

• Long, hot days and short, warm nights — the days get longer and the nights get shorter which warms everything up
• Thunderstorms — there are more thunderstorms in the summer because moisture and warmth are crucial to thunderstorms
• Hurricanes — they’re prevalent in coastal regions in the southern and eastern United States, with hurricane season running from June 1 to November 30

Though storms are common throughout many parts of the country in the summer, some regions — such as the Southwest — don’t receive much rain even in the summer. The desert Southwest becomes oppressively hot during the afternoons. Some parts of the desert may regularly experience afternoon high temperatures reaching between 100 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit or more.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the average summer temperature in the United States is 71.9 degrees Fahrenheit.

See what the average summer temperature is in your state!

#3 Summer Weather Fact:
The Sun Is At Its Highest Point In The Sky During Summer

We have summer weather (long hot days) because Earth’s axis leans toward the sun during the months of June, July, August, and September.

The tilt is roughly 23.5 degrees, which means that if you’re on the equator during the summer solstice, you will see the sun rise 23.5 degrees to the left of due west.

The sun’s high position in the sky, in addition to the longer periods of daylight and shorter nights, help cause summer to be the hottest time of the year.

Don’t forget your sunscreen! Here are some little-known facts about sunscreen, along with a little sunblock humor.

#4 Summer Weather Fact:
“The Dog Days Of Summer” Have Ancient Roots

The “dog days of summer” is a reference to the Dog Star — also known as Sirius, a star in the constellation Canis Major. It happens to be the brightest star in the night sky. The dog days of summer traditionally run from July 3 to August 11.

Why is Sirius usually associated with summer weather?

The Ancient Romans and Greeks thought Sirius was to blame for extreme temperatures, illness, and droughts that overwhelmed their part of the world during the later summer.

Here’s how to find Sirius in the night sky.

More Summer Weather Facts & Fun Stuff

• Summer Bucket List: 150+ Fun (Crazy) Thing To Do In The Summer For Adults
• 76 Fun Summer Games For Kids To Play Outdoors
• 5 Dangerous & Costly Hurricane Myths Debunked
• Fun Summer Dog Products You Might Not Think Of