THE dog days will begin today, and Shenzhen will continue to be hot and sunny in the coming week, with a maximum temperature of 33°C to 35°C. The central and northern areas in the city, as well as densely populated regions, may experience temperatures exceeding 35°C, according to the National Meteorological Center.

According to Xiu Lipeng, a member of the Chinese Astronomical Society and an expert dedicated to popularizing astronomy, the duration of the dog days is uncertain and can last anywhere from 30 to 40 days. The starting date of the dog days varies each year and does not follow a fixed date in either the Gregorian or lunar calendars. To determine the precise date, one must consider the Chinese solar term of Summer Solstice in relation to the Chinese lunar calendar and the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, which are used to calculate and record the chronological sequence of events, Xiu said.

While the dog days’ beginning date differs annually, it typically falls in the middle of July in the Gregorian calendar. In the 21st century, it ranges from July 11 to 20. “This year marks one of the earliest occurrences of the dog days in this century,” Xiu told Xinhua News Agency.

The dog days are divided into early, middle and late stages, which fall from mid-July to mid-August in the Gregorian calendar, just between the Chinese solar terms Slight Heat and Start of Autumn when the weather becomes hot and humid.

Xiu emphasizes the importance of taking precautions to prevent heatstroke during the dog days, saying the public should take measures to stay cool and hydrated in the scorching weather.

(Zhang Yu, Zhang Chaoyi)