Allegheny River between Oil City and Reno
Earlier this week a certain prognosticating groundhog’s proclamation was met with anger and frustration from some folks. On Monday, Punxsutawney Phil declared that we would see six more weeks of winter.
Threatening memes and many angry emojis flooded social media over his prediction.
Threatening memes and many angry emojis flooded social media over his prediction.
| It was hard to hear that there wasn't quick end to what appeared to be a tougher than usual winter. A look back at January’s weather statistics yielded a colder and snowier month than normal. The normal average for Franklin for January was 26 degrees. This year came in lower at 21.1 degrees, according to data provided by the National Weather Service’s station at the Venango Regional Airport. January in Franklin was a little low on precipitation. The normal is 3.27 inches and 2026 on tallied 2.79 inches. However, the snow totals told a different story. The normal for Franklin for January was 17.9 inches. This year’s tally surpassed that number at 26.9 inches. The weather service’s station reported that Franklin saw 4 inches of snow on Jan. 25 with an additional 8 inches of snow on Jan. 26. |  View from Petroleum Street Bridge  Allegheny River between Oil City and Reno  Allegheny River between Oil City and Reno |
A post from explorevenango.com on Jan. 26 claimed that parts of Clarion and Venango counties received nearly two feet of snow.
The article said Gov. Shapiro “noted that while Clarion County’s 23-inch report led the state, neighboring counties also saw significant totals. In Venango County, a report from southeast of Clintonville reached 22 inches, matching the intensity seen in Jefferson County, where areas near Sigel also clocked in at 22 inches. Other significant reports included 17.5 inches in Brookville and 16 inches in Punxsutawney.”
The article said Gov. Shapiro “noted that while Clarion County’s 23-inch report led the state, neighboring counties also saw significant totals. In Venango County, a report from southeast of Clintonville reached 22 inches, matching the intensity seen in Jefferson County, where areas near Sigel also clocked in at 22 inches. Other significant reports included 17.5 inches in Brookville and 16 inches in Punxsutawney.”
| While the Jan. 25-26 snow event came from a different direction, other reports indicated that the lake-effect snow machine may be shut down. A Jan. 29 post from Erie News Now said, “It’s been 11 years since more than 95 percent of Lake Erie was covered in ice. With record cold tonight and a deep freeze sticking around into February, it could be a while before the lake opens back up. A frozen lake may shut down lake-effect snow for now, but it also means spring takes longer to arrive.” Meanwhile, the weather service’s station at the Venango Regional Airport reported a high of 63 on Jan. 10. The above freezing temperature seemed like a distant dream. Lowest low was -10 on Jan. 30, 2026, according to weather service data. It was the coldest in a couple of decades and was tied on Jan. 30, 1977. However, a low of -14 on Jan. 30, 1966, beats that number by four degrees. |   Allegheny River between Reno and Oil City  Allegheny River between Reno and Oil City |
A Facebook post from the National Weather Service’s office in Pittsburgh gave some information about the city’s temperatures.
“It's official: January 2026 was the coldest January since 2014 for Pittsburgh. It will go down as the 26th coldest January of all time in Pittsburgh with an average temperature of 23.4 degrees.
This is still a ways away from the No. 1 spot of 11.4 degrees in January 1977,” the post claimed.
Nonetheless, the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center offered some hope for warmer temperatures.
The center’s graphic for Feb. 10-14 said there was a 33 to 40 percent chance of above normal temperatures during that time
This is still a ways away from the No. 1 spot of 11.4 degrees in January 1977,” the post claimed.
Nonetheless, the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center offered some hope for warmer temperatures.
The center’s graphic for Feb. 10-14 said there was a 33 to 40 percent chance of above normal temperatures during that time
| However, the National Weather Service predicted a high of 8 degrees for Saturday. That forecasted temperature was little too cold for some four-legged friends. On Feb. 2, the Franklin Events and Marketing office announced that the Franklin on Ice carriage rides were cancelled. “This decision was made with the horses’ wellbeing in mind. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming them back later in the year when the warmth returns,” the post said. Folks will need to bundle up to view the outdoor activities during the event. There are also indoor events as well. One of those being the Nature Art Showcase and Sale, held Feb. 6 and 7 at the Barrow Civic Theatre. |  The Louie Project |
I have two pieces in the show. One featuring a hummingbird that goes with the show’s “On the Wing” category.
The other is the Louie Project. It is a “deer” piece that has been in the works for a while. Here’s a link to the back story on the project.
The other is the Louie Project. It is a “deer” piece that has been in the works for a while. Here’s a link to the back story on the project.
Franklin on Ice will definitely be “on ice” this year. That’s just the nature of things ‘round here.
RSS Feed