Gus creating his own April showers
In weather news, the region was no longer under any form of drought designation according to the U.S. Drought Monitor released, May 7.
However, some southeastern parts of the state were depicted as having dry conditions like many other parts of the United States.
However, some southeastern parts of the state were depicted as having dry conditions like many other parts of the United States.
| “Most of the lower 48 (continental U.S. states) is in drought,” said Facebook post from the National Integrated Drought Information System in April. The post said a notable exception was a swath that ran from Central Texas, through the Midwest, to the Northeast. “That area has seen 100 to 300 percent of normal precipitation in the last 60 days. Much of the Lower 48 has seen less than 50 percent,” the post continued. Statistics from the National Weather Service for Franklin confirmed that the region was indeed in the soaking swath. Franklin’s total for April showers was reported as 7.8 inches which was well above the normal of 4.15 inches. |  Source National Integrated Drought Information System  Courtesy of USGS |
The accumulation-to-date for Jan. 1 through May 3 was also above the normal with a total of 15.63 inches so far this year compared to the normal of 13.56 inches.
A look at the water levels on the Allegheny River in Franklin from United State Geological Survey’s gauges displayed exactly how the April showers peaked out.
Clarion’s precipitation totals for April came in at 5.30 inches above the normal of 4.05 inches, according to weather service data.
In comparison, Pittsburgh’s April total was 3.46 inches which was slightly above the normal of 3.32 inches.
Clarion’s precipitation totals for April came in at 5.30 inches above the normal of 4.05 inches, according to weather service data.
In comparison, Pittsburgh’s April total was 3.46 inches which was slightly above the normal of 3.32 inches.
Tadpoles
However, again, there was some missing data on the Franklin and Clarion weather statistics.
Meanwhile, it appeared as if the April showers would continue into early May.
“After a dry end to our weekend, light shower chances rise tonight (Sunday, May 3). Large stretches of Monday are likely dry, only intermittently broken by isolated showers or storms. Rain chances rise significantly by midweek as showers and storms along a cold front bring more widespread and intense rain,” said a post on the National Weather Service Office in Pittsburgh’s Facebook page.
Meanwhile, it appeared as if the April showers would continue into early May.
“After a dry end to our weekend, light shower chances rise tonight (Sunday, May 3). Large stretches of Monday are likely dry, only intermittently broken by isolated showers or storms. Rain chances rise significantly by midweek as showers and storms along a cold front bring more widespread and intense rain,” said a post on the National Weather Service Office in Pittsburgh’s Facebook page.
Skunk cabbage
In addition to being wet, April was also warm.
The highest highs this April for Franklin were reported as 82 degrees on April 5, 6, 17 and 19, according to National Weather Service data. The average temperature for the month came in at 56.6 degrees, which was above the average of 47.4 degrees.
Clarion’s average temperature for April came in at 53.5 degrees, which was above the normal of 46.4 degrees, according to the data.
The highest highs this April for Franklin were reported as 82 degrees on April 5, 6, 17 and 19, according to National Weather Service data. The average temperature for the month came in at 56.6 degrees, which was above the average of 47.4 degrees.
Clarion’s average temperature for April came in at 53.5 degrees, which was above the normal of 46.4 degrees, according to the data.
Apple blossoms
| “April will go down as the warmest on record for Pittsburgh once the final numbers are in. It will be the warmest April since 2017 with respect to mean temperature,” the weather service’s Pittsburgh office posted on Facebook. |  |
The city’s average temperature was reported as 58.7 degrees for the month of April.
However, the lows around April 20 were damaging. A couple of posts from Pennlive.com reported that the freezing temperatures destroyed the crops of some Pennsylvania fruit growers.
An orchard in Lebanon County closed for the 2026 season, the site reported. This was the orchard's first closure in 40 years.
"The freeze on April 20 destroyed all fruit crops, including peaches, apples, and cherries. Statewide, losses for some growers are estimated at 90 to 100 percent. Gov. Josh Shapiro plans to visit affected growers and is seeking federal disaster assistance, including crop insurance support," the post continued.
According to National Weather Service data, Dubois recorded lows of 27 and 21 degrees on April 20-21. Pittsburgh's low for April 20 was 34. Franklin's low was set at 31 for April 20.
Just as the rain continued into May, unfortunately so did the cooler temperatures.
However, the lows around April 20 were damaging. A couple of posts from Pennlive.com reported that the freezing temperatures destroyed the crops of some Pennsylvania fruit growers.
An orchard in Lebanon County closed for the 2026 season, the site reported. This was the orchard's first closure in 40 years.
"The freeze on April 20 destroyed all fruit crops, including peaches, apples, and cherries. Statewide, losses for some growers are estimated at 90 to 100 percent. Gov. Josh Shapiro plans to visit affected growers and is seeking federal disaster assistance, including crop insurance support," the post continued.
According to National Weather Service data, Dubois recorded lows of 27 and 21 degrees on April 20-21. Pittsburgh's low for April 20 was 34. Franklin's low was set at 31 for April 20.
Just as the rain continued into May, unfortunately so did the cooler temperatures.
Bleeding heart blossoms
“The weather favors below normal temperatures the first two weeks of May,” the office posted.
Then came the frost and freeze warnings.
Weather data recorded a low of 30.9 degrees early May 3, for Franklin and 28 degrees in DuBois.
Then came the frost and freeze warnings.
Weather data recorded a low of 30.9 degrees early May 3, for Franklin and 28 degrees in DuBois.
The Climate Prediction Center’s forecast for May 10 to 16 agreed with the Pittsburgh office’s post on the chillier start for May. It predicted below normal temperatures and above average precipitation for this period.
However, the center’s predictions for May 16 through May 29 called for above average temperatures and below average precipitations.
However, the center’s predictions for May 16 through May 29 called for above average temperatures and below average precipitations.
Gray squirrel
| I admitted that those 80-degree days in April tempted me to move some plants outside. The impeding cold dissuaded me from doing so. I was fearful that my blooming bleeding-heart plants would be toast after the frost threats. It was apparent that they did sustain some frost damage, but the entire plant was not harmed. In the woods the lady slippers were starting to show some color in their blooms. Additionally, at home they were shirking their clean-up duties. Previously, they had shown interest in eating the leaves off maple trees. However, they had no time for a maple branch left from the pruning of the tree. Earl only butted the branch when it was placed in front of him. In contrast to the goats, the returning birds weren’t as picky. There was a drain on the bird feeders. A couple of birds even went so far as to take “starving” selfies on the ailing bird feeder camera. I haven’t filled the camera feeder since a beastly bruin disabled the Wi-Fi from the device. However, sporadically it continued to work. On weekends, when I wasn't promptly putting the feeders out at the crack of dawn, various birds would send me photos from the camera apparently advertising their disgust with the lack of feeder service. The orioles showed up in full force on April 28. They have cleaned out the oriole feeder daily since then. I was able to briefly catch a glimpse of a female hummingbird on Sunday, May 3. She didn’t stick around for any photo opportunities. Then on May 5, it seemed as if all the hummingbirds returned. There were at least two males and one female sighted. More orioles also appeared. |  Lady slippers  Earl and Milo  Baltimore oriole  Male rose-breasted grosbeak  Male ruby-throated hummingbird |
White-crowned sparrow
At the end of April, I was able to snap a shot of a white-throated sparrow in the yard.
They were described as an uncommon migrant and occasional winter visitor by local birder and author Gary Edwards in his book “Birds of Venango County.” The birds have been seen in the region from late April to May and from late September to November, Edwards wrote.
He added that the birds nest in the Canadian and Alaskan tundra south through the mountains of the western U.S.
They were described as an uncommon migrant and occasional winter visitor by local birder and author Gary Edwards in his book “Birds of Venango County.” The birds have been seen in the region from late April to May and from late September to November, Edwards wrote.
He added that the birds nest in the Canadian and Alaskan tundra south through the mountains of the western U.S.
Red-bellied woodpecker and a female cardinal
Gray catbird An Eastern Towhee, listed as a common summer resident by Edwards, had been making appearances in the yard as well. I heard one calling several weeks earlier. I have yet to grab a photo.
Finally in early May, I ambushed a gray catbird at the oriole feeder. The catbird was described by Edwards as a common summer visitor who arrives in April and departs by late October.
Finally in early May, I ambushed a gray catbird at the oriole feeder. The catbird was described by Edwards as a common summer visitor who arrives in April and departs by late October.
I captured another summer bird resident upon its return to the region. The rose-breasted grosbeak arrives in late April and departs by late October, according to Edwards.
Hermit thrush
| Other visitors to the yard included a couple of chunkier gray squirrels. They, too, have been adapting to the loss of the bird feeder camera. Other replacement feeders were smaller and harder for them to climb onto. They were busy cleaning up under feeders. |  Underside of a yellow-rumped warbler |
In the woods, the feathered fliers were not photo friendly.
I worked for a few days to try to get a photo of a hermit thrush. After a bunch of blurry photos, I was able to get one somewhat in focus.
I worked for a few days to try to get a photo of a hermit thrush. After a bunch of blurry photos, I was able to get one somewhat in focus.
The thrush is the earliest thrush to appear in the spring and latest to leave in fall, Edwards wrote in his book.
According to map posted on the All About Birds site, our region is close to intersection of different ranges for the thrush. Those designations include migration, year-round residency and breeding ranges. The range for year-round residency seems to follow the Appalachian Mountains. Edwards mentioned in his book that the thrush prefers at higher elevations.
My first photo of a yellow-rumped warbler for the year wasn’t as successful. A black, white and yellow blur was pictured among young maple leaves.
According to map posted on the All About Birds site, our region is close to intersection of different ranges for the thrush. Those designations include migration, year-round residency and breeding ranges. The range for year-round residency seems to follow the Appalachian Mountains. Edwards mentioned in his book that the thrush prefers at higher elevations.
My first photo of a yellow-rumped warbler for the year wasn’t as successful. A black, white and yellow blur was pictured among young maple leaves.
Dusky wing butterfly
This common migrant can be seen from April 23 to Nov. 28, according to Edwards. The warbler’s breeding range is in north central and northeastern part of Pennsylvania.
Just as more birds returned and more flowers bloomed, more butterflies were on the move during the warmer days. April's showers helped alleviate any drought conditions in the region. The precipitation and warmth no doubt aided in the greening up in the area.
Will May continue to bring spring? May-be, May-be-not. That's just the nature of things 'round here.
Will May continue to bring spring? May-be, May-be-not. That's just the nature of things 'round here.
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