What Is The Opposite Of ‘Indian Summer?’

According to Wikipedia, aheat wave that occurs in the autumn. The phrase refers to a period of considerably above-normal temperatures, accompanied by dry and hazy conditions, usually after there has been a killing frost. Depending on latitude and elevation, it can occur in the Northern Hemisphere between late September and mid November.

But what it, as was the case this past weekend, the period of amazingly good weather is in the early part of March? Is there an equivalent phrase for a precursor of Spring that occurs while it is still technically Winter? I mean, sure, the winter here in Colorado is never the cold and miserable affair that it is in places like (to pick a place completely at random) Minnesota.

But still, to have such a lovely weekend as we had this in the first weekend of March is really a rare and wonderful treat. The fact that some friends held their Second Annual Neighborhood Mardi Gras Parade made it even nicer!

If there’s no phrase for this unseasonably nice string of weather, then I propose we name it! How does "Mardi Gras Spring" sound? I think it conjures up the warmth and fun of New Orleans and the desire to get out and have fun. It says what I felt this weekend  Perhaps it won’t catch on, but I like it. But as with Indian Summer, the system is sure to pass! The prediction for today is for more cold and snow by lunch time. But right now it is oh, so lovely!

Wherever you are today, I hope that you have had a lovely weekend!

Don Bergquist – March 04, 2013 – Lakewood, Colorado, USA