Summer can be defined in several ways. Astronomical summer begins with the June solstice and ends with the September equinox, lasting about 93 days. In 2026, it starts on June 21 at 4:24 a.m. EDT and ends on September 22 at 8:05 p.m. EDT. Meteorological summer, used by forecasters, runs from June 1 to August 31 each year, offering consistent three-month periods for easier climate statistics. Solar summer, the sunniest stretch, spans May through July, with the solstice in the middle. The “dog days of summer,” from July 3 to August 11, are linked to Sirius but don’t affect Earth’s temperatures. https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/meteorological-summer-vs-astronomical-summer-explained/1780019