References to Indian Summer are common and known across the United States, but the terms that define it are slightly ambiguous, and the origin of the phrase is elusive.

There are several theories as to how the term Indian Summer came into existence. An article featured by Native Village, a nonprofit organization supporting Native Americans, states the term is thought to have originated from the celebrations American Indians would hold to honor the blessing of warm days for added harvests after the first frost.

Chief meteorologist for News14 Carolina Gary Stephenson offers another opinion on where the term might have originated.

“One explanation is from the fact the Native Americans would hunt during this time of the year with the fall season being the main hunting season for several animals like deer,” he says.

“ Another, and darker, origination is that Native Americans would attack settlers during this time of the year before harsh winter weather.”

The first mention of Indian Summer was recorded by a French-American farmer, J.H. St. John de Crevecoeur, in his 1778 Letter from an American Farmer. He writes, “Then a severe frost succeeds, which prepares it to receive the voluminous coast of snow which is soon to follow; though it is often preceded by a short interval of smoke and mildness called the Indian Summer.”

Indian Summer is most often described as an unseasonably warm period that follows the typically colder weather of fall. While typically the warmer weather must be at least 70 degrees and colder weather is described as a first frost or hard freeze, the definition has softened and the idea of colder weather simply meaning cooler temperatures has become an accepted version.

“It really depends on how we define warm weather,” says Ryan Boyles, director of the State Climate Office of North Carolina. “The Carolinas, by definition, have an Indian Summer every year. But, it’s also not uncommon for us to have an ice storm one week and 60-degree temperatures the next. It’s not really unseasonably warm weather for us.”

Most North Carolinians use Indian Summer to describe extended summers or periods of warm weather that often happen in fall.

“North Carolina’s Indian Summer typically happens in October and November,” Stephenson says. “Several periods of Indian Summer weather can occur during a fall season past the date of that first frost or freeze.”

Indian Summer often means a time for vacations with enjoyable weather. The freeze typically signals the end of the growing season, and if a few days of warm weather follow, most relish a few more days spent in summer clothes and enjoying the outdoors.

“Most of the population thinks of Indian Summer as a ‘last hurrah’ of the summer season, and they take the opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities,” Stephenson says. “When I lived in Asheville, my wife and I would use the warm weather days to hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway and enjoy the fall colors. Personally, I feel, as far as comfort levels go, it’s one of the best weather times of the year. Not too hot, not too cold, just the right temperature on the thermometer.”