Delaware will see some summer-like weather this week, with potentially record-breaking high temperatures in the First State.

The summer appetizer will have people longing for long evenings, cookouts and beach weather when summer actually arrives.

Whether it’s the unofficial or official start of the season, here’s what you need to know about summer’s pending arrival.

When is the first day of summer?

Like every season, there is an astronomical or meteorological first day of summer.

The astronomical first day of summer is when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, which occurs on the summer solstice. The 2026 solstice occurs at 4:24 a.m. June 21.

Meteorological seasons are broken into three-month segments. The summer segment starts June 1 and ends on Aug. 31.

When is Memorial Day weekend?

Traditionally, Memorial Day weekend is considered the kickoff of summer. Memorial Day is observed on May 25. The holiday, which generally aligns with one of the first warm weekends of the year, gives most people a three-day weekend to go out and hopefully enjoy some nice weather and relax.

If it feels like Memorial Day is early this year, it’s because it is. May 25 is the earliest day Memorial Day can occur.

How many 3-day weekends occur in summer 2026?

From the traditional start on Memorial Day weekend to its traditional end on Labor Day weekend, people will receive four three-day weekends this summer.

Memorial Day is observed on Monday, May 25, for a three-day weekend.
Juneteenth Day falls on Friday, June 19, for a three-day weekend.
Independence Day falls on Saturday, July 4, but the federal holiday is on Friday, July 3, giving people a three-day weekend.
Labor Day is observed on Monday, Sept. 7, for the final three-day weekend of summer.

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