#HistoricalWeather

[curiositydidnotkillthecat2]

Something about Saint Martin

The "Summer of Saint Martin" is a meteorological phenomenon traditionally associated with the saint celebrated on this occasion. Saint Martin, originally from France, was a soldier who, during a violent storm, encountered a beggar. To help him, he shared his cloak, protecting him from the rain.

According to legend, immediately after this act, the skies cleared, and the cold subsided, giving rise to what we now call the Summer of Saint Martin: a brief period of milder weather that occurs in November after the first autumn chills. Later, Martin converted to Christianity, left his military life, and became the bishop of Tours, with his feast day celebrated on November 11th.

This tradition is particularly widespread in Italy, where the Summer of Saint Martin is accompanied by festivals, tastings of new wine, and roasted chestnuts, especially in rural areas. However, similar customs exist in other countries.

In France, the feast of Saint Martin (Saint-Martin) is also celebrated on November 11th, especially in the northern and eastern regions, often linked to harvest and wine traditions. In Germany, Martinstag is marked by lantern processions for children and religious celebrations, though it is not connected to any meteorological phenomenon.

In the United Kingdom and the United States, the term "Indian Summer" is used to describe a period of mild weather in November. However, this expression has no link to Saint Martin and is purely a meteorological term.