Summer sounds for the dog days as Pittsburgh's weather heats back up

Should we talk about the weather?

Fans of alternative rock pioneers REM might smile at the oblique reference to “Pop Song 89,” opener to the band’s major label debut “Green.”

Others might sigh, get up or stand as they sip a tall glass of Turner’s tea from a glass dripping with condensation as this dad joke continues.

The ideal summer weather of Monday and Tuesday, when it was warm but not muggy and sunny without storms, has ended. Meteorologists expect it to get hotter, more humid, with the risk of showers and thunderstorms as the weekend nears, making it apropos to invoke this Glenn Fry ear worm, recorded before hell froze over and the Eagles reunited.

Extreme heat returns Thursday when temperatures should soar past 90 degrees Thursday, according to Jared Rackley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Moon.

Pockets of the region could see a heat index — that’s how hot it feels taking the humidity into account — above 100 degrees. The forecast is hot enough that Allegheny County Health Department issued a code red alert, which opens cooling centers in the county. They’re listed here. Click on the plus next to code red information.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday could also include rain and thunderstorms that will temper how hot it gets, Rackley said, but it will still be warm.

Here are the high/low temperatures through the coming weekend. Some increased heat will be a concern through Friday. The chance of showers and thunderstorms will return Friday but more likely over the weekend. pic.twitter.com/sidCHFRYh5

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) July 23, 2025

We've been talking about the return of heat for the rest of this week. If you prefer the cooler and drier weather of yesterday and today, models are currently leaning towards that kind of start for August, as this 8-14 day outlook from the Climate Prediction Center shows! pic.twitter.com/P8nfjmR0iy

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) July 22, 2025

The ridge of high pressure will shift east a bit closer to the forecast area. With the lack of cloud cover, light winds, and temperatures/dew points on the rise, heat indices will increase to near advisory criteria. Thu will be the hottest day. Fri may have increased cloud cover. pic.twitter.com/6XCAG44JZn

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) July 22, 2025

It’s a fitting time to listen to this Black Sabbath deep cut and chase it with a spoonful of summer sounds and a song about the month that’s closing.

The dog days of summer are here, by most accounts.

The weather service doesn’t define when the dog days of summer begin, Rackley said, but the Old Farmer’s Almanac considers the dog days to start July 3 and last through Aug. 11.

Fun fact: the dog days are less about the likes of Old Yeller panting beneath a wilted Oak tree and more about the rising of Sirius, the Dog Star, something that happens Aug. 11 this year.

Of course, there’s a song that fits, by the inimitable George Clinton.

Once Sirius rises, summer’s days will be numbered. The National Weather Service is projecting early August may be provide some relief from the heat, as does this soft rock classic that can be soothing on even the most stifling of summer days.