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PRINTIndian Summer
The term “Indian Summer” is used when we experience a little revival of summer after it should have finished. The sky is usually cloudless but hazy or even smoky looking, especially toward the horizon. In England, this warming trend used to be called Little Summer of St. Luke if it happened in October, or St. Martin’s Summer if it happened in November. Today, we Americans just call it Indian Summer. although no one knows the exact reason for the name. There are stories about how early settlers mistook the haze of late new England autumn air for the campfires of Native Americans, the the name “Indian Summer”.
By my definition, Indian Summer is when there are 2 or more days with above normal temperatures after the first hard frost has been experienced. For some parts of the country that is in October and for others, November. But autumn brings about changes from the hot, humid thunderstorms of summer to cooler weather that comes down from northern Canada. It may not feel like it, but fall is at hand. So, check your thermometer and see if we have Indian Summer.
Technorati Tags: Indian Summer, Farmers’ Almanac, Little Summer of St. Luke
Peter Geiger is the Editor of the Farmers' Almanac. Read his full biography here.Free Weekly eNewsletter
Farmers' Almanac Long Range Weather
February 8th - February 11th
- Northeast U.S.
Wet snow mixed with rain Mid-Atlantic north through New England; slushy accumulations of 4+" possible.
- Midwest/Great Lakes U.S.
Accumulating snows Kentucky, Ohio, then clearing. Fair elsewhere.
- Southeast U.S.
Wet snow Tennessee, western North Carolina; wintry mix northern Mississippi, Alabama. Elsewhere, rain, then clearing.
- North Central U.S.
Drier, much colder.
- South Central U.S.
Snow parts of Arkansas, then clearing, cold. Clear, much colder elsewhere.
- Northwest U.S.
Drier, but colder.
- Southwest U.S.
Drier, but noticeably colder.
• View entire Long Range Weather Forecast »
• Farmers' Almanac 2011-12 Winter Outlook »
• View the Almanac Daily Planner »
If you notice a hole in the upper left-hand corner of your Farmers' Almanac, don't return it to the store! That hole isn't a defect; it's a part of history. Starting with the first edition of the Farmers' Almanac in 1818, readers used to nail holes into the corners to hang it up in their homes, barns, and outhouses (to provide both reading material and toilet paper). In 1910, the Almanac's publishers began pre-drilling holes in the corners to make it even easier for readers to keep all of that invaluable information (and paper) handy.