September 2013 started on a cool and rather autumnal note - especially across the north of the UK. However, with conditions becoming more summer-like again during this week, many are wondering if this is an Indian Summer in the making.
Traditionally, an Indian Summer is a spell of above-average temperatures accompanying dry and sunny weather after the end of summer. In fact, it is only a true Indian Summer if a warm spell occurs after one, or a series of sharp frosts, and is associated with late-September to mid-November.
In the UK the original term for a period of unseasonable warmth and sunshine in late September, October or November was described as a Saint Martin's Summer (referring to St Martin's day on 11th November). This term was used throughout much of western Europe.
