Central Coast News KION/KCBAQ: Why is it called, 'Indian Summer?'

Q: Why is it called, 'Indian Summer?'

A: Debra from Seaside asked, "why, when the weather warms up, is it called 'Indian Summer'?"

Here is Chief Meteorologist Norm Hoffmann with the answer.

An Indian Summer is a meteorological phenomenon that occurs in the autumn. It refers to a period of considerably above normal temperatures, accompanied by dry and hazy conditions, usually after there has been a killing frost. Depending on the latitude and elevation, the phenomenon can occur in the Northern Hemisphere between late September and Mid November.    In some regions of the Southwestern U.S., Indian Summer is sometimes used to describe the hottest times of the year, especially late July or August. However here on the Central Coast that is September and October.   Where frost is rare, the term is sometimes used to refer to a brief period of hot dry weather which occurs after the hottest months and before the onset of winter rains, typically in October or November.   It may be so named because this was the traditional period during which early "American Indians" harvested their crops of squash and corn late in the season.  

I hope that answers your question and thanks for asking.