³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

I'm back on ourÌýearly shift this morning and we've been discussing the topic of 'Indian Summers' here on local radio Breakfast shows.

OK, so I'm a pedant, but by strict definition we're not (yet) seeing an Indian Summer.Ìý But for sure, a prolonged spell of largely dry, warm weather and one looking set to continue for a few more days.

In fact, some of our local weather-watchers in Gloucestershire reckon we're already at a tally of 25 dry (or almost dry) days recently. I'm betting this will extend to 30 days for many districts across the West Country as high pressure continues to dominate our regional weather scene.

As for an Indian Summer: the definitions admittedly vary and are somewhat elastic, but for most of us weatherfolk, the term is reserved for an unseasonally warm, dry spell of weather in mid to late Autumn; i.e., after all the leaves have turned and after the first hints of colder conditions - including frosts - make their mark.

You might well wonder where the term Indian Summer originated. Again, some varied opinions exist on this one, but you can read an interesting . In the 20th century, the phrase became widespread this side of the Atlantic, replacing the traditional ' terminology of Old English, which actually I still prefer.

However, I guess if I spoke of a 'St Martin's Summer' on our local radio stations, most listeners would be mystified.Ìý I wonder how many people have heard this term before?