verões

Verões is the plural form of verão, the season considered the warmest in many temperate and tropical climates. It typically spans about three months and is marked by longer days and higher average temperatures. In the Northern Hemisphere, verões occur roughly from June to August, with the summer solstice around June 21 as the peak of daylight. In the Southern Hemisphere, verões run from December to February, corresponding to the solstice around December 21. In tropical regions, the idea of a distinct hot season may be less pronounced, as rainfall patterns and humidity can vary independently of a three-month interval.

Etymology and usage: The term derives from Latin veranum, related to the root for spring in Romance languages, and evolved in Portuguese into verão, with verões forming the plural. The word is used in everyday language to refer to the summers of particular years or regions.

Climate and regional variation: The features of verões differ by climate zone. Temperate zones often experience hot days and potential heat waves, sometimes with high humidity. Mediterranean verões tend to be hot and dry. In tropical areas, the warm period may align with the rainy or dry seasons, depending on the local monsoon and precipitation regime, making the notion of a single hot season more variable.

Cultural and social aspects: Verões influence lifestyle, holidays, and economic activities. In many Portuguese-speaking countries, schools close for extended summer vacations, beaches and outdoor recreation become common, and demand for cooling, water, and energy tends to rise.