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EmailIn the fall, it seems that almost any warm day is referred to by most people as "Indian summer."
And, while their error is certainly not of the world-shaking variety, they are, for the most part, in error. Here are criteria for an Indian summer:
- As well as being warm, the atmosphere during Indian summer is hazy or smoky, there is no wind, the barometer is standing high, and the nights are clear and chilly.
- A moving, cool, shallow polar air mass is converting into a deep, warm, stagnant anticyclone (high pressure) system, which has the effect of causing the haze and large swing in temperature between day and night.
- The time of occurrence is important: The warm days must follow a spell of cold weather or a good hard frost.
- The conditions described above must occur between St. Martin's Day (November 11) and November 20. For over 200 years, The Old Farmer's Almanac has adhered to the saying, "If All Saints' (November 1) brings out winter, St. Martin's brings out Indian summer."
Why is Indian summer called Indian summer? There are many theories. Some say it comes from the early Algonquian Native Americans, who believed that the condition was caused by a warm wind sent from the court of their southwestern god, Cautantowwit.
The most probable origin of the term, in our view, goes back to the very early settlers in New England. Each year they would welcome the arrival of a cold wintry weather in late October when they could leave their stockades unarmed. But then came a time when it would suddenly turn warm again, and the Native Americans would decide to have one more go at the settlers. "Indian summer," the settlers called it.
Are you experiencing Indian summer conditions in your area? Please post a comment below!
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Comments
Lot going on here in
Lot going on here in Somerset, CA (El Dorado County) my Ranch is approximately at 3,200 elevation that is at the high end and low end of is below 3,000 elevation and sits within a canyon, at times I get some crazy winter weather that most folks don't seam to believe. Cold nights with frosty temps, but warm afternoons. Blue sky, sunny, temps running between Hi 50-60's and low teens-30's. Still have some acorns on the ground, some leafs dangling in Oak trees and other trees continue turning beautiful colors. Some plants are putting out another wave of buds such as my climbing roses, which I'll most likely get another 'bout of colored flowers including petunias and mums. Birds are busy, but playing too including Mr. Squirrel annoying the blue birds. Fun to listen how they argue with each other. Few crows flying and making noises. Last week my friend came to visit for coffee with about 3 inches of snow on her vehicle, which she lives just over 3 miles above me. No snow here in Somerset, just cold chillie sunny weather. I was taught by several old school elders in my younger years while being raised on a small county farm just how to read and listen to the signs of the outdoors to determine upcoming weather changes, etc. Sure glad I paid attention to the elders as most of them were from Texas, Oklahoma including the Chocktaw Indian Tribe.
Wow, I live, well I consider
Wow, I live, well I consider it upstate NY, but people in upstate NY would say otherwise. On the 29th Of October we had about 4-5 inches of SNOW, prior to that a pretty good frost. It had been quite cold for a few days. Now, on the 7th and 8th it was nearly 70 degrees. If this isn't Farmers Almanac's version of Indian Summer, I have no idea what would be. All I know is that I am happy that it has been warm and peacefully mild out! The fog I could live without, but it is much better than snow or ice.
Good example? Wow, what a
Good example?
Wow, what a strict definition. I think November 13, 1999 across the Corn Belt (Kansas City, MO , Des Moines, IA , Minneapolis, MN etc.) would have qualified
-moderate (not high) visiblities
-dry high pressure
-max temps in 70's and 80's and mins in the 40s
-following freezing nights a few days or a couple weeks earlier
could be here in Northern
could be here in Northern California central valley.
I think I am in the majority
I think I am in the majority when I say that I never really knew what an Indian Summer was until now with this descriptive article. Thank you for giving me my subject for today. I try to learn something new every day and this is it.
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Here, in south, central
Here, in south, central Wyoming, it's been a beautiful Indian summer. Warm days and chilly nights. Been great for getting the yard and shop ready for good old winter.
Not yet, Indian Summer must
Not yet, Indian Summer must occur between St. Martin's Day (November 11) and November 20. For over 200 years, The Old Farmer's Almanac has adhered to the saying, "If All Saints' (November 1) brings out winter, St. Martin's brings out Indian summer."
Same conditions here in WV (Saint Albans) But time is not right, for a few more days anyway! LOL :)
Here in south central
Here in south central Kentucky we'd been trying to keep warm at night with a fire in the wood stove. Now suddenly my hostas, meant for next spring, have come up because it's 73 and sunny! I guess I'm not the only one who is confused........the plants are too!
I think our Indian Summer is
I think our Indian Summer is here in West Hamlin, WV. It's in the low 30's at night and up in the low 70's, high 60's during the day. Beautiful weather for finishing outdoor chores.
Not yet, Indian Summer must
Not yet, Indian Summer must occur between St. Martin's Day (November 11) and November 20. For over 200 years, The Old Farmer's Almanac has adhered to the saying, "If All Saints' (November 1) brings out winter, St. Martin's brings out Indian summer."
Same conditions here in WV (Saint Albans) But time is not right, for a few more days anyway! LOL :)