Tennessee is in the 'dog days of summer.' What the phrase means and just how hot it could be

Temperatures continue to reach unbearably hot levels across Tennessee and we are just getting to the "dog days of summer."

Tennessee and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere is currently experiencing the hottest and most humid period of summer, which is commonly referred to as the "dog days of summer." According to the National Weather Service, the “dog days of summer” occur during the months of July and August. The phrase is based on celestial objects and can be traced back to the days of the Roman Empire.

On Thursday, the temperature in Nashville reached 99 degrees and a heat index of 106, making it the 3rd-warmest July 4 on record, said the National Weather Service. In West Tennessee, Memphis hit 96 degrees with a heat index of 110. East Tennessee and Knoxville saw highs hitting 97 degrees on July 4 with a heat index in the low 100s.

Here's how the phrase came to be and what Nashville can expect during the "dog days."

Has the heat broke any records?: Tennessee heat wave is a scorcher but not as hot as others: How hot were past heat waves?

When are the 'dog days of summer?'

The "dog days of summer" occur from July 3 through Aug. 11.

Why is it called the 'dog days of summer?'

According to the weather service, the dog days of summer take place 20 days prior and 20 days after the "dog star" Sirius rises and falls in conjunction with the sun. Sirius is known as the “dog star” because it is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major, which is Latin for great or large dog.

Not only is Sirius the dog star, but its name also comes from the ancient Greek word for “scorching” or “glowing.” According to Earth Sky, Sirius is the brightest star visible from Earth. Visible from both hemispheres, it is also, the brightest star in the evening sky during the Northern Hemisphere winter.

Because Sirius is in conjunction with the sun on July 23, the dog days of summer centered around that day this year, said Earth Sky.

July forecast: What Tennessee can expect during the 'dog days of summer'

According to the Central Region Clime Outlook, Tennessee is expected to have above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation in July.

The Climate Prediction Center predicts that, for July, Tennessee will see a 50% to 80% chance of higher-than-normal temperatures in parts of the state. It’s typically cooler in the eastern part of the state because of higher elevations but the western parts of the state will feel the brunt of above-average temperatures.

The above normal temperatures will continue in August through September, however normal precipitation is expected. Through September the area experiences an average high of 89 and receives an average amount of 12 inches of precipitation, according to the weather service.

Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana

Jennifer Lindahl contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee hits the 'dog days of summer': What it means