NORTH SOUND — August is already here. This month is sometimes called the Dog Days of Summer. This phrase goes back to varied stories from the ancient Greeks, Egyptians and Romans. More on that shortly.
This week in the North Sound, it is going to feel like Dog Days. Temperatures are forecast to climb back into the 80s Wednesday and Thursday with some areas near the Cascades rising into the 90s.
The record high temperatures at Everett – Paine Field Wednesday and Thursday are 88 set in 2012 and 84 in 2008 – respectively.
And now wildfire smoke from Canada and Eastern Washington has spilled into Western Washington and the North Sound, spoiling air quality. Dog days of August indeed.
History of Dog Days of August
The Dog Days term is tied to the rise of Sirius – by far the brightest star that follows Orion into the night sky. Also called the Dog Star, Sirius rises in the night sky in mid-July and is most prominent during August. These early civilizations blamed Sirius for the heat of the season, bringing as historians quote – discouraging heat and oppression.
The Dog Star Sirius is 8.7 light years away from Earth and has no impact on our planet’s weather or temperature. Yet, those early civilizations saw the rise of the Dog Star and the hottest weather of the year as a cause and effect.
The phrase Dog Days of Summer has survived the test of time. Many Europeans take long holidays during August. Many Americans do as well.
What’s Ahead
The warmest stretch of summer in the North Sound is from mid-July to mid-August before a slow cooling trend begins as the days get gradually shorter.
This quite warm and smoky weather pattern is forecast to change by the end of the week. Higher pressure aloft over the region is expected to shift inland, and in turn onshore breezes from the Pacific Ocean will offer some relief from the summer heat with cleaner air but no threat of any rain.
By this weekend, high temperatures in the North Sound are anticipated to drop close to seasonal averages, ranging from the 70s to the lower 80s. The onshore flow from the Pacific should help dissipate the wildfire smoke, improving air quality.
Until then, take precautions from the heat and the poorer air quality this week.
Sunrise reveals a Pacific Northwest overwhelmed with wildfire smoke. Combined with rising temperatures in the region, any outdoor activities should be limited as much as possible. https://t.co/VyWINDk3xP pic.twitter.com/CjYUZvyo5U
— National Weather Service (@NWS) August 5, 2026
8 AM Wednesday: Significant surface smoke across Western Washington & Oregon, with widespread air quality levels in the “Unhealthy” category for Seattle and Portland, including most of the I-5 corridor. Most areas near Puget Sound are doing better. Please stay safe! #wawx #orwx pic.twitter.com/y6L5ihiE5J
— Matthew Pfab (@The_Weatherman2) August 5, 2026
