Indian Summer
In the fall, it seems that almost any warm day is referred to as Indian Summer. Just where did the term come from? You may hear the term used to refer to any period of unseasonably warm weather in autumn, but traditionally, “Indian summer” referred to something more specific. Here are the criteria for Indian summer.
As well as being warm, the atmosphere during Indian summer is hazy or smoky, there is no wind, the barometer is high, and the nights are clear and cool. Some say time of occurrence is important: The warm days must follow a spell of cold weather or a good hard frost, but also be before first snowfall. Now for timing in Michigan it can be hard to meet, as it MUST occur between St. Martin’s Day (November 11) and November 20. Another criteria (One that I think is the best for our area) The National weather service claims it is any period of warm, hazy weather in October to early November. Now one of the criteria can be hard to reach here in Michigan and that is for a true Indian Summer (one that is in mid November) is there should be 7 days in a row of 70 or better. The NWS office criteria that must happen after the fall equinox and the first frost. That has a much better chance here in Michigan with a near zero chance of that happening is mid November.
Why is it called Indian Summer? Well, in some other parts of the world is isn’t In Europe it is called “Old Wives Summer” or “St. Martin’s Summer”
It is unclear as to where the term came from. One theory is that European settlers in New England. Each year, they would welcome the arrival of 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. When I was young my dad claimed it was a time when the trees where in full color and the days were warm.
When I started this post, it was because I was thinking this weekend’s warm weather will he our Indian Summer. While I think we can call it that it may not be official as we will not have the 7 days in a row of 70 or better. But hey I will call it Indian Summer or Wives Summer. Either way enjoy this nice warm late October weather
Slim
Yesterday was the start of what looks to be some very mild Indian Summer weather for our area. The official H/L was 70/33 there was no rain fall and 93% of possible sunshine. For today The overnight low in MBY was 48 and the current temperatue is 50 with clear skies. For today the average H/L is now down to 58/40, The record high of 82 was set in 1953 and again in 1979 the record low of 23 was set in 1944. The record snow fall is 0.9” set in 1981. Last year the H/L was 52/37. For anyone… Read more »
We had no 70s here last year beyond Oct 22nd.
The average last 70 day at both Lansing and Grand Rapids is October 24th so that it looks like this year will be just about average for that to happen. The range at Lansing is from September 15th, 1968, to December 31 1975. At Grand Rapids the range is from October 1 1925 to November 31 1931. The winter of 1875/76 at Lansing was a very mild one and while there was a reported 44.4” of snow fall that winter 30.0” of that fell in late March.
Slim
Whatever it’s called, I call it fantastic. It’s nice to have one last blast of summer. My boy and I will be hitting the links this weekend before packing away the clubs for the winter. Good timing for this weather too. Going to the lake to take dock and boats out. Enjoy this (last?) very warm weekend of 2022.