June things!
The nights are short, the days are long, and the sugar snap peas are sweet. Three cheers for June!
Good morning, and happy meteorological summer!
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WEATHER TIDBITS
JUNE RAIN: Several rounds of rain are expected to impact different regions of the U.S through the first half of the week. Today, a threat of heavy rain will exist from the Four Corners region through parts of the upper Midwest. By Tuesday, a cold front will shift the best chance of heavy rain into the south-central Plains and western Great Lakes region. The heavy rain threat will continue to meander to the east throughout the week.
The ECMWS forecast model showing chances of rain meandering to the east through midweek. Model run last initated 00Z 5/2/2025. SMOKE: Have things been looking a little hazy overhead lately? Smoke from wildfires in Canada is likely to blame. The wildfires are still burning, so don’t be surprised if you notice a faint smell of smoke or see extra vibrant sunrises/sunsets due to the particulate matter in the air. You can always check air quality for your location here.
READ: A summer outlook from The Washington Post
READ: The science behind a heat burst in Oklahoma from The Weather Channel
FROM MY KITCHEN
Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve made it to June. I can usually find something sweet to appreciate about each month/season, but June seems extra sweet! As an early riser, I love that the sun gets up when I do instead of waking up to complete darkness. As someone with a healthy appreciation for comfort, I love that the days are (typically) warm, but not oppressively hot quite yet. And as a lover of eating well, I love the fact that fresh, local produce can be snagged from any roadside farm stand or farmers market.
Still not sold? Here are a few other things you can look forward to this month -
The summer solstice! As the day with the longest amount of daylight and the shortest amount of night, June 20 will represent the start of astronomical summer this year. After that date, the amount of daylight will begin to decrease again (but we won’t talk about that yet).
So many delicious fruits and veggies come into season in June! Types of produce will vary by region, but you can generally expect to see fruit like strawberries, cherries, apricots, etc. becoming widely available. For vegetables, ‘tis the season for peas, zucchini, peppers, and greens - just to name a few.
On that note, your home garden will really start to take off around this time of year. We spent a long weekend in Washington DC at a wedding (it was the most beautiful and the best time ever, thanks for asking!) and it was fun to arrive back home and see just how much things can change in a veggie garden in a few days. We’ll be harvesting our own peas and making salads with our own kale and romaine before we know it!
Sugar snap peas, aka nature's candy! Plus a hungry dog scoping out the peppers in the greenhouse.
I’ll leave you with a few scenes from our weekend in the capital, including a cosmopolitan on the most beautiful rooftop overlooking the city, a pistachio croissant that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about, a carrot lox bagel in the park on a sunny morning, and an arepa with stewed black beans/plantains/jalapeños that was so delicious it may have transcended me to another realm. Full stomach, full heart, etc., etc.
RECIPE INSPIRATION
Linked below are recipes to enjoy in June!
Strawberry Thyme Jam from The Kitchn
Almond Strawberry Chia Seed Pudding from AllRecipes
Snap Pea Salad with Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette from The Minimalist Baker
Peach Halloumi Sandwich from Cozy Peach Kitchen
Roasted Radishes from The Mediterranean Dish
Lemony Orzo with Asparagus and Garlic Bread Crumbs from NYT Cooking
Homemade Strawberry Cake from Sally’s Baking Addiction
Summer Berry Ice Cream from NYT Cooking
Thanks for making it to the end of the Frost Bites Newsletter! I’ll be back in your inbox next Monday with the weather forecast and recipe suggestions. In the meantime - get outside, eat good food, and remember all weather is ice cream weather. And if you enjoyed this newsletter, please subscribe!