A period, in mid- or late autumn, of abnormally warm weather, generally clear skies, sunny but hazy days, and cool nights; in New England, at least one killing frost and preferably a substantial period of normally cool weather must precede this warm spell in order for it to be considered a true Indian summer; it does not occur every year, and in some years there may be two or three Indian summers; the term is most often heard in the northeastern United States, but its usage extends throughout English- speaking countries.