Indian summer facts for kids

Indian summer is a special time in autumn when the weather becomes unusually warm and dry. It often feels like a mini-summer right before winter really sets in. This happens in the Northern hemisphere, which includes places like North America, Europe, and Asia.

The United States National Weather Service describes Indian summer as a period of sunny, clear days with temperatures that are higher than usual for the time of year. This warm spell typically occurs between late September and the middle of November.

Where does the name come from?

The exact origin of the term "Indian summer" is not fully known, but there are a few ideas. One idea is that the name came from areas where Native Americans lived. Perhaps they were the first to describe this warm autumn weather to Europeans.

Another idea is that the name came from the warm, hazy conditions often seen in autumn. This was a time when Native Americans would traditionally hunt. The name might simply reflect the weather conditions during that important hunting season.

Images for kids

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  Józef Chełmoński: Indian Summer, a painting from 1875.

See also

In Spanish: Veranillo para niños