Solar Summer Is Here: The Brightest Season of the Year

• Solar summer is here: the brightest season of the year.
• As reported by AccuWeather.
• Here are the details.

Summer has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere, but it’s not the conventional summer everyone knows.

This season, known as “solar summer,” is one of the lesser-known ways of defining summer—and it’s already underway.

During May, June, and July, the Northern Hemisphere receives the greatest amount of sunlight due to the tilt of the Earth’s axis.

These three months, when days are longest and sunniest, are referred to as solar summer, even though they’re not necessarily the hottest time of the year.

Solar summer is here: the brightest season of the year

Happy Solar Summer! ☀️ May, June, and July bring the most sunlight to the Northern Hemisphere, making it the brightest time of the year.
https://t.co/6lrAOmhKRP pic.twitter.com/ghgan4g11n
— AccuWeather (@accuweather) May 1, 2025

This phenomenon is due to a lag between the amount of solar radiation the Earth receives and when the atmosphere reaches its warmest temperatures.

Even though the Northern Hemisphere enjoys more sunlight during these months than at any other time of year, the heat doesn’t peak until later.

The atmosphere takes time to warm up to match the incoming solar energy, resulting in a gap between maximum sunlight and peak annual temperatures.

There are other ways to define summer, including meteorological summer, which starts on June 1, and astronomical summer, which begins with the June solstice.

The Dog Days of Summer

Solar summer, however, is less commonly referenced and is defined specifically by the abundance of sunlight.

The concept of the “dog days of summer” is also connected to this period, though it’s shorter.

This interval begins on July 3 and ends on August 11. During these 39 days, the brightest star in the night sky—Sirius—is aligned with the sun.

In ancient times, it was believed that the added light from Sirius, also known as the Dog Star, contributed to increased heat during the day.

Heat Effects and the Outlook for This Year

However, Sirius is about 6 trillion miles away, and its light is far too faint to impact Earth’s weather.

So, while solar summer is the brightest season of the year, the true heat will arrive later.

In the meantime, humanity will enjoy longer days—perfect for outdoor activities—while nature steadily moves toward the year’s hottest period.

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