While definitely looking forward to the spell of warm fine weather forecast for the end of this September, may I put in a plea for British English and ask for it to be called by its traditional British name, St Martin's Summer? St Martin is said to have been rewarded with a spell of fine weather after giving his warm cloak to a beggar.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_summer

Indian Summer is an American import. I suspect that St Martin's Summer belongs to the home of lost causes, now the newspapers have got hold of the term, but that's no excuse. No-one here would use the media term 'mini-tornado' - would they? At least it sounds better thant the Dutch equivalent, 'Old Ladies' Summer'!

I don't care who's summer it's going to be aslong as we get some late warmth and I don't need a jacket to go out in  Oh and also so I can make full use of my new flip flops purchased in the "End of Summer Sale"

Agree it should be St Martins Summer. 'Indian Summer' is an American import, like elevator and 2XL. It refers to a period of warm, dry weather that occurs after the first proper frost of the season.
Many European countries do refer to it as 'Old Ladies Summer' (in Russia it is called Babye Leto, although being Russian they have tended to deny all knowledge of it and will only support a period of warm dry weather if it was of strategic use to them).

18 th Of October is St Luke's Day. Known as St Luke's Summer   as it is sometimes in the middle of a fine period of weather...  

Have I lost a month?

I thought it was still mid September? 

Far too early to know whether we'll have spell in unseasonal warm weather in late October or early November, surely?

 I do hope not!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well said that man , mind you if the rain gets any heavier here at the moment , will it turn to snow ....LOL..  only 8.9 degrees now , truely shocking September weather today

Also known as St Michaels summer

for those old enough to remember Marks & Spencer's own brand label

 

So named because it gets so hot we all strip down to our (M&S) undies

Never heard of it (St Martins) Always known it as an Indian Summer, even in the early 70's we new it as an Indian and as for USA import well maybe they did but I have my doubts, and the newspapers getting hold of the term now, well thats old news, they've been saying that for years too

St Martins mmm na.. St Swithin's day, that I can relate too

Besides, the term "Indian summer" Makes most people feel good (Those who like warm weather that is)

That is my recollection too, the term has been used in this country since at least the 70s. If it is an American import, it's not a recent one.

May of been said alreaady but an Indian Summer does not occur in September. It happens when an unusually warm and sunny feed from Europe occurs over the UK in October. It is far too early for it to be referred to in the upcoming settled period.

I think it's because of the cooler weather of late has reinforced the notion that if it warms up people refer it to an Indian summer because it's in Autumn. even though like you said an Idian or St Martins summer is during October.