07/24/2026
Every summer there’s a graphic that does the rounds telling you that if the air temperature is such and such then the pavement is so many degrees. While it is a well meaning graphic, it bothers me every time I see it. It gives the impression that the numbers it gives are hard and fast but doesn’t take into account any factors such as time of day, shade or sun, whether it’s just rained, how much humidity is in the air… you get the idea.
So here are some pictures of the difference in surface temperature you can get with different materials around 1pm on a sunny day in July. And one picture that shows the very simple test you can do to be sure it’s safe for your dog’s paws. Just put your hand (or the back of your hand or slip your foot out of your shoe and use that) on the pavement! If you can’t easily leave your skin in contact with the pavement for 5 seconds, it is too hot for your dog’s bare paws.
Top left: a hand on pavement demonstrating the test
Top right: air temperature when I took the surface readings
Middle left: temp of concrete in the sun
Middle right: temp of concrete in the shade
Bottom left: temp of asphalt in the sun
Bottom right: temp of asphalt in the shade
