JACKSON, Wyo. — It’s currently the “dog days” of summer and for many of us, the phrase is synonymous with the hottest days of the year, but what does the phrase actually mean and what does it have to do with dogs?
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the phrase is a reference to Sirius, the dog star and the brightest star visible from any part of the Earth. Sirius is a part of the constellation Canis Major, the Greater Dog.
In the summer, Sirius rises and sets with the sun.
“On July 23, specifically, it [Sirius] is in conjunction with the sun, and because the star is so bright, the ancient Romans believed it actually gave off heat and added to the sun’s warmth, accounting for the long stretch of sultry weather,” according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, “They referred to this time as di?s canicul?r?s, or dog days.”
The dog days of summer are the 20 days before and 20 days after this alignment, July 3-Aug. 11.
While the ancient Roman theory is not rooted in science— the heat of summer is related to the tilt of the Earth, the phrase is popular in pop-culture, referenced in literature, music, movies and advertising campaigns.
In Jackson Hole, the meaning is ringing true, with above-average temperatures in the mid to upper 80s forecasted. The full weather report from Buckrail’s Meteorologist Alan Smith is available here.
