The “dog days of summer” are traditionally considered the hottest and most humid stretch of the season, running from July through August. The phrase has ancient roots, tied to Sirius, the “Dog Star,” which appears in the constellation Canis Major. While Sirius doesn’t actually cause summer heat, the expression remains a fitting description for those sweltering late-summer days when staying cool and hydrated becomes especially important. In Southeast Tennessee, the transition from summer into ...
