Dog days of summer roll on; severe risk Wednesday

Welcome to the dog days of summer.

These lazy, sultry summer days typically feature warm days, nights and higher dew points. Here’s how the National Weather Service describes the origin of the dog days.

The “dog days of summer” is a phrase used to describe the hot and humid days of summer. It can be traced back thousands of years to the days of the Roman Empire. It refers to the dates from July 3 through Aug. 11, which is 20 days prior and 20 days after the star Sirius rises and falls in conjunction with the sun. Sirius was knows as the “Dog Star,” because it is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Large Dog).

Lazy hazy days

In our current context, Minnesota’s dog days consist of a stagnant summery air mass with dew points in the 70s sloshing around Minnesota. Light winds and weak steering currents in the atmosphere continue this week.

High temperatures will run in the upper 80s most of this week.

Isolated storms chances

Our air mass is capable of a few isolated storms through Wednesday. Forecast models vary on potential storm timing and coverage. The European model suggests a possible line of storms forming Wednesday in the north and sagging south toward the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota by Wednesday evening.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center paints a slight risk (level 2 of 5) for severe weather across much of Minnesota including the Twin Cities Wednesday. An enhanced risk (level 3 of 5) includes part of southwest Minnesota Wednesday.

Keep an eye and ear out for possible severe weather watches and warnings on Wednesday.