Weather Eye: Dog days are here and beginning to bark quite loudly

The heat wave is well underway, but thank goodness we had some stiff northwest winds Wednesday afternoon in Clark County that tempered the highs just a bit. No hurry to rush into the 90s, is there?

Today we will be in the low 90s, maybe mid-90s in some areas for the hottest day this week. I mentioned here the other day that a slight influx of marine air may drop the highs Friday and Saturday into the 80s rather than the sweltering 90s. However, forecast models show highs at 90 degrees or better Sunday through Tuesday. No escaping the heat here.

Perhaps it is time for a trip to the coast, where some marine clouds will be present in the mornings with some sunny periods in afternoon and evening. Highs will be pleasant, generally in the 65- to 70-degree range. Great kite-flying weather with northerly winds.

Our overnight lows here in the city will be around 60 degrees or so, which makes for warm sleeping. Keep the air conditioning running or at least a fan or two. Midsummer in Clark County.

The dog days of summer are upon us until Aug. 11. Of course, this is our warmest time of the year, but ancient Romans thought the rising of Sirius, the Dog Star being so bright, actually added heat to the earth. They coined the phrase “dies caniculares” or dog days. By the way, Sirius is the brightest nighttime star seen from Earth now. Eventually, the phrase “dog days of summer” became the period from July 3 to Aug. 11. There is our history lesson for today.

I think most folks that are outside in the heat can relate to the dog days of summer, sluggish with visions of canines lying under a giant shade tree. Good place for a hammock, I say, and a glass of iced tea. Yep, the crazy, hazy, lazy days of summer are shining upon us. Don’t think about the fact that we are slowly losing minutes of daylight each day. Nope. Enjoy the season.

Keep cool, and we will chat from a cool place on Sunday.

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