As we look down on a sunny day at the entrance to India House apartments on Whitworth Street, is it fair to say have been experiencing an Indian summer this month? Certainly some lovely sunny days here in the north-west with an October crispness. And the local weather forecasters are predicting more on the way.
The term Indian summer is used both sides of the pond but has different origins. The correct usage is when the weather is sunny and 21°C (70°F) or above, after there has been a sharp frost. This is a period normally associated with late October to mid November, although most of us actually use the expression Indian summer for any warm spell from late September onwards.
In 2011 we had a record breaking spell with temperatures of 26°C in the last week of September but, alas, not in 2012 - although I can't complain about some wonderful days in the past month...
I read this week that globally September 2012 was the warmest on record and, with governments STILL failing to act effectively or quickly enough on climate change (despite my having been campaigning and talking about it for 30 years now and of course other green groups and campaigners for even longer!), quaint phrases like Indian summer will be consigned to history as the planet experiences ever more extreme ranges of weather, with massive consequences everywhere...
In 2011 we had a record breaking spell with temperatures of 26°C in the last week of September but, alas, not in 2012 - although I can't complain about some wonderful days in the past month...
I read this week that globally September 2012 was the warmest on record and, with governments STILL failing to act effectively or quickly enough on climate change (despite my having been campaigning and talking about it for 30 years now and of course other green groups and campaigners for even longer!), quaint phrases like Indian summer will be consigned to history as the planet experiences ever more extreme ranges of weather, with massive consequences everywhere...
I recommend that everyone from crazed climate change sceptics in government down to us mere plebians should heed, read, follow and act upon the wisdom of George Monbiot on this topic. Twitter @GeorgeMonbiot and: www.monbiot.com
Over on this side of the pond it has the same meaning - great weather after a frost - but we're referencing Red Indians (and I use the term with a grimace) so your great building shot wouldn't be an apt linkage.
ReplyDeleteI like the colour of the building. It's looks like a rusty colour. I always thought Indian Summer was just a North American thing. Thanks for straightening the record.
ReplyDelete...and apologies if my rant was too much... ;-)
ReplyDeleteI like the color of this picture, fantastic view!
ReplyDeleteLéia
Still above 25C during midday over here as well. A great view indeed. Beautiful building. Please have a good Sunday.
ReplyDelete