The week of October 19^th provides us with several days of above normal temperatures and fair skies.  This was a nice change of pace given the fact that most of October up to this time point had been much cooler than normal.

So was this week our Indian Summer?  What is Indiana Summer?

According to Wikipedia Indian summer is an informal expression given to a period of sunny, warm weather in autumn in the northern hemisphere, typically in late October or early November, after the leaves have turned due to an onset of frost but before the first snowfall.

Our first frost occurred in September.  Therefore, according to this definition it could have been Indian Summer…

According to Brooks and Dunn… Indian Summer is the wonder, the hunger the sound of distant thunder.

There was no thunder near or around the area, thus no distant thunder.  I did find myself hungrier than usual this week.  However, I felt less than wonderful???

Back in 1993 Outlaw productions produced a comedy movie staring Bill Paxon about eight friends who return to the best summer of their lives!  According to the plot seven friends reunite for a week-long reunion at a summer camp in Ontario they used to attend as children which is now threatened with being closed down.

This movie really has nothing to do with the weather term Indian Summer but I thought I would mention it.

The origin of the use Indian Summer is perhaps due to Native Americans in the past preparing for winter during these warm spells by gathering food and shelter material. The late fall is the time of the year most relevant for the use of the term Indian summer.

 The term “Indian Summer” dates back to the 18th century in the United States. It can be defined as “any spell of warm, quiet, hazy weather that may occur in October or even early November.”

Basically, autumn is a transition season as the thunderstorms and severe weather of the summer give way to a tamer, calmer weather period before the turbulence of the winter commences.

 The term “Indian Summer” is generally associated with a period of considerably above normal temperatures, accompanied by dry and hazy conditions ushered in on a south or southwesterly breeze.

 Several references make note of the fact that a true Indian Summer can not occur until there has been a killing frost or freeze. Since frost and freezing temperatures generally work their way south through the fall, this would give credence to the possibility of several Indian Summers occurring in a fall, especially across the northern areas where frost or freezes usually come early.

 So was last week Indian Summer?  In my opinion it was just a period of warmer than normal temperatures.  We are likely going to have a few more of these prior to December 21^st the start of winter.  So when they occur, simply enjoy them don’t try to define them…  Have a great Fall!!!