Issue #669 Sat 19 Jul
Strands hints — July 19, 2025
A steady climb in the thermometer demands a certain patience. Today's grid requires a steady hand as you navigate the rising mercury.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
Whatever you set the night before is what gets you up — for better or worse.
Meteorological conditions
SEASONAL ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS
Spangram 4 nudges · 13 letters
The connector word
Compound noun
13 letters.
Starts with S, ends with R.
SUMMERWEATHER
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 B (5 letters)
- 2 M (5 letters)
- 3 S (9 letters)
- 4 S (6 letters)
- 5 S (10 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 BA (5 letters)
- 2 MU (5 letters)
- 3 SC (9 letters)
- 4 ST (6 letters)
- 5 SW (10 letters)
Theme word 1 of 5 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
A gentle temperature that barely warrants a light sweater.
5 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BA.
BALMY
Theme word 2 of 5 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
Air so heavy with moisture you can practically wear it.
5 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with MU.
MUGGY
Theme word 3 of 5 5 nudges · 9 letters
A theme word
The kind of sun that turns pavement into a frying pan.
9 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SC.
SCORCHING
Theme word 4 of 5 5 nudges · 6 letters
A theme word
When your shirt refuses to let go of your back.
6 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with ST.
STICKY
Theme word 5 of 5 5 nudges · 10 letters
A theme word
A day spent entirely in the shade with a glass of ice.
10 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SW.
SWELTERING