Dog Days of Summer are upon us

Summer is certainly flying by as August is here as of Tuesday this week. It seems like we just started spring, but we are in the heart of summer with the Dog Days of Summer upon us. That period typically runs through Aug. 11.

According to the Farmers’ Almanac, most think that the term “Dog Days of Summer” refers to the hot summer days of July and August and that weather that is “not fit for a dog.” However, it actually refers to Sirius the Dog Star. During this period of time, the Sun “occupies the same region of the sky as Sirius.” This is the brightest star visible from any part of the Earth. Many believed in ancient time that the Sun and the Dog Star together put off additional heat at this time of the year.

By the way, temperatures will heat up once again with highs in the upper 80s and lower 90s common for Wednesday and Thursday. A stray shower is possible Wednesday.

We will see a better chance of rain possible for the weekend. Temperatures are expected to cool off for the weekend with highs in the 70s likely.

Welcome to August and the heart of summer!

Weather history: On this date in 1831, records show that “unseasonably cool air moves into Minnesota with light frost reported at Fort Snelling.”

Weather facts: The prevailing wind direction is the wind direction “most frequently observed during a given period.”

MN AT A GLANCE:

Moorhead Low 66 High 92

Duluth Low 63 High 85

Central Minn. Low 66 High 89

Twin Cities Low 69 High 91

Marshall Low 63 High 90

Rochester Low 67 High 86

Wednesday: Partly cloudy, 20% chance of a stray shower. High 89 Low 68 Wind: SW 5-10 mph Prec. Trace-.20”

Today’s sunrise: 6:05 a.m.

Today’s sunset: 8:49 p.m.

Normal High: 82

Normal Low: 61

Temperatures will heat up once again with highs in the upper 80s and lower 90s common for Wednesday and Thursday. A stray shower is possible on Wednesday, with a better chance of rain possible for the weekend.

Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 88 Low 63 Wind: NW 10-15 mph Prec. None

Friday: Partly cloudy, 20% chance of rain. High 83 Low 64 Wind: E 10-15 mph Prec. Trace-.20

Saturday: Partly to mostly cloudy, 20% chance of rain. High 78 Low 61 Wind: S 10-15 mph Prec. Trace-.20”

Sunday: Mostly cloudy to cloudy, 40% chance of rain. High 76 Low 58 Wind: NW 10-15 mph Prec. Trace-.20”