One of my favorite things about the fall season is Indian Summer. There’s something about a blast of hot, hazy weather that feels even more wonderful after a series of rainy, cold days.
Earlier this week when the weather in Syracuse, New York, rose to seventy plus degrees for three days running, I thought, “This is it.” Indian Summer is here. I even seriously considered turning my central airconditioning on again. Instead, I took a long walks along Onondaga Lake and thought of summer in spite of the fallen leaves on the path and the Christmas lights decorating the trees.
Yesterday, as the tempteratures once again cooled, I looked up a definition of what Indian Summer really is and I was a little surprised. I always thought it was a spell of warm, sunny weather sometime in late October. But there’s more to it than that. Many authorities hold that the warm weather can only be called Indian Summer if it follows a killing frost.
Problem is–we haven’t had a killing frost yet. There hasn’t even been a gentle frost on the morning grass.
The American Meterological Society’s Glossary of Weather defines Indian Summer as: “A time interval in mid or late autumn of unseasonanly warm weather, generally with clear skies, sunny but hazy days.”
Hmmm. We had clear and sunny skies–but I didn’t notice any haze… So was the wonderful three days we experienced in upstate New York this week Indian Summer or not?
In my research, I came across some interesting facts. Indian Summer only occurs in those areas when winter also occurs. But there is some question about whether it occurs in Alaska. The first reference to the word itself is thought to be in a letter written by a Frenchman. And there has been research on whether or not the word has anything to do with Native Americans.
William Safire in one of his wonderful columns on language for the “New York Times Sunday Magazine” claimed the term is prejudicial to Native Americans since Indian Summer means a “false” summer.
False or not, “real” Indian Summer or not, I’m really happy I got to walk along the lake for three days. And I’m more than happy to pay for that when the snow comes next week.
Do you experience Indian Summer where you live? What is your favorite thing about fall?
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Thank you, by the way, for the book. I keep forgetting to email you. I was hoping we’d have an Indian summer (we had such a cold summer,which I am not complaining about). However, we have not. Still hoping
They are planning for snow, which means in the PNW is not really a good thing.
Katie,
One thing I learned when I was researching Indian Summer is that it can come later in the fall–and even in January. (Although I thought that was called January thaw). So there might be hope yet.
Best,
Cara
January? That’s crazy! I think they are planning for La Nina (but an unusual La Nina…lots of snow). Given that the ‘major’ cities have maybe, at most 8 snow plows….they say we should brace for the worst (they just did a ‘practice drill’ and I don’t think it went well).
Hi Ms. Cara Summers, Thanks very much for the offer of your book and I do look forward to reading it, but so far I have not gotten it
I am wondering if you received my email that time with my address and whatnot. Should I send it again? Please let me know if there is something I can do.
I live in Texas so I doubt we have Indian summers. When my family and I used to live in Russia, I think we experienced those although I don’t think we had proper names for it. In Russia I loved falling leaves and my birthday were favorite things about fall. Now its my birthday and the fact that people have to wear covered shoes.
Hi Aurora,
I’m so sorry you didn’t get the book–and so happy that you mentioned it.
Send me your email again–and the title of the book you’d like.
csummers@twcny.rr.com
I love falling leaves, too. (But I don’t like to rake them).
Best,
Cara
Love Fall… the cooler weather, the colors… lately I have been surprised that we have a few days in the 80s and then jump back to the 90s… I want the wonderful Fall temps… miss snow, but where I live that is not happening… Happy October!!!
Colleen,
I do love the fall temperatures. In upstate New York, fall is our best season. We don’t really have spring. It often snows in May and then suddenly, “June is busting out all over!”
Best,
Cara
Fall is my favorite time of year. I don’t know if it is true Indian Summer but I love the cooler, sunny days, the color on leaves & the cooler nights. Earlier this month I was lucky enough to go visit friends in Gold Country the weather was wonderful every day! We spent one day at Yosemite that was just a beautiful day, about 75 degrees probably. I acutally would have loved it if it had been just a little cooler!
Today in my little corner of the world it is pouring rain, showers are/were predicted!
Go Giants! (H)
:-[ Have a fun, safe Halloween. (H)
Donna,
In my little corner of the world, it’s raining too. And it’s colder too. Plus the seven day forecast has a lot of temps in the high 40′s.
I guess Indian Summer is over.
Best,
Cara
I’m in NY, too, so I did experience the beautiful weather for those days. I wish the warm weather stayed a little longer. I love fall, especially the leaves changing color.
Well, I was going to say that I think we could get Indian Summers here….but then I read that you can’t in Alaska! LOL – so, I guess not!
Did you learn why Alaska can’t have them? I’m curious.
I love fall. The crisp air, the lower angle of the sun, the crunch of leaves, the soups and warm breads, the feel of change all about…. Aaahhh.
We do get Indian summer in Wisconsin usually mid October. This year we did have two frosty mornings then 3 days of 70* temps. The tree’s leaves colors were peaking… PERFECT! Now it’s quite barren. Strong gusty winds stripped most of the trees bare.
Fall- the pretty leaves!