Recent patterns have given new meaning to the term “crisp” fall weather. Warmer temps and dry conditions had me treading on crunchy leaves for at least a week. They were dry, brittle and sunbaked. Nonetheless, the first day of autumn arrives on Monday and with it the possibility of precipitation.
| Venango County and other surrounding counties were upgraded to moderate drought conditions on a graphic released last Thursday by U.S. Drought Monitor. In the report from the week before, only a small sliver of the county was in moderate drought with the rest in the abnormally dry category. Meanwhile, information on drought.gov reported that 2025 was fifth driest August on record over the past 131 years. There was a decrease of 2.05 inches of precipitation from the area’s average. The site also said that 2025 so far was the 42nd driest year to date (January through August) with a departure of 1.37 inches of precipitation from normal. The National Weather Service’s rainfall-to-date data for Franklin was reported as 28.28 inches, which is short of the normal tally of 34.54 inches. |  Courtesy of U.S. Drought Monitor  Male American Goldfinch  Clem, Jeb and Gus Gus at a Pinegrove Township pond. |
The total was still low despite the region seeing above average accumulation for much of May through July.
August’s weather station data for Franklin revealed that the region saw a decrease in precipitation. This August’s total was 1.18 inches which was below the normal of 4.24 inches. Interestingly, the hottest day of the month was Aug. 13 with a high of 92 degrees. It was also the day with the most recorded rainfall with a total of .48 inches. Most other days in August saw no accumulation.
So far for September, Franklin has received .49 inches.
The normal total for the entire month of September was reported as 3.94 inches by the National Weather Service.
The drought in precipitation meant that area water levels sank.
August’s weather station data for Franklin revealed that the region saw a decrease in precipitation. This August’s total was 1.18 inches which was below the normal of 4.24 inches. Interestingly, the hottest day of the month was Aug. 13 with a high of 92 degrees. It was also the day with the most recorded rainfall with a total of .48 inches. Most other days in August saw no accumulation.
So far for September, Franklin has received .49 inches.
The normal total for the entire month of September was reported as 3.94 inches by the National Weather Service.
The drought in precipitation meant that area water levels sank.
Data from the United States Geological Survey said that area waterways were down slightly from last year at this time. The Allegheny River at Franklin was at 3.10 feet. In 2024, the river was at 3.24 feet. Oil Creek at Rouseville was at 1.65 feet this week. Last year, it was reported at 1.74 feet.
Several Facebook reports from Pale Whale Canoe Fleet, a canoe and kayak rental business in Cooksburg, kept repeating that the Clarion River was low.
“Canoes are limited to no more than two persons. These conditions aren't for everyone so please make the best decision for yourself -- it is very low and the water is cold. ... Keep your vessels as light as possible,” a post said.
Several Facebook reports from Pale Whale Canoe Fleet, a canoe and kayak rental business in Cooksburg, kept repeating that the Clarion River was low.
“Canoes are limited to no more than two persons. These conditions aren't for everyone so please make the best decision for yourself -- it is very low and the water is cold. ... Keep your vessels as light as possible,” a post said.
The Sept. 21 post reported the current river depth at 2.05 feet.
There were other signs that area water tables were low.
Travels past several area roadside springs that were still flowing revealed a hotbed of activity. Folks gathered what water they could but faced longer wait times as the once gushing pipes had slowed to a trickle. Some springs had no one around suggesting that they had dried up.
There were other signs that area water tables were low.
Travels past several area roadside springs that were still flowing revealed a hotbed of activity. Folks gathered what water they could but faced longer wait times as the once gushing pipes had slowed to a trickle. Some springs had no one around suggesting that they had dried up.
Hopefully, the impacts of the drought will be cut short by some much-needed rain. It was forecasted to arrive this week.
“Kiss the sunny days goodbye! … According to the European model, and other models that are also starting to suggest we'll see a series of systems that will bring rain starting early next week all the way through the following weekend, PaAction Weather LLC posted Sept. 19 on Facebook. A graphic accompanying the post predicted up to 2.35 inches for the Oil City area.
“Kiss the sunny days goodbye! … According to the European model, and other models that are also starting to suggest we'll see a series of systems that will bring rain starting early next week all the way through the following weekend, PaAction Weather LLC posted Sept. 19 on Facebook. A graphic accompanying the post predicted up to 2.35 inches for the Oil City area.
 House sparrow  | Areas south of Pittsburgh received rain on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service’s Pittsburgh’s office. “A new weather system moving in Monday into Tuesday is expected to bring the best chance for measurable rain to the area,” the office said in a Facebook post. “Finally! Rain is returning to the area this week with several shots of showers and thunderstorms. The bulk of the rain will be on and off Tuesday through Thursday. However, some of you will see some liquid falling from the sky Monday and Friday, too,” exclaimed a post from WPIX meteorologist Scott Harbaugh. Harbaugh’s later post said the region could see 3 inches or more. “Computers forecast models jumping all over heavier rain this week,” he posted. The Climate Prediction Center’s six-to-10-day outlook for Sept. 26 to 30 forecasted above normal temperatures and a chance for above normal precipitation. However, the center’s outlook for Sept. 28 through Oct. 3 depicted below normal precipitation and still called for above normal temperatures. If drought conditions persist, the region could see various impacts, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor site. |
Those effects include decreased honey production; hay and gain yields could be lower than normal; trees and landscaping are stressed; fish are also stressed; voluntary water conservation is requested; reservoir and lake levels are below normal capacity; and wildfires increase.
| A quick search of the internet revealed that these conditions can also affect the fall foliage season. The trees may drop their leaves earlier. Prolonged drought can stress trees. This causes them to drop leaves that are already brown instead of seeing color changes. Reports additionally said that cooler nights can stimulate earlier color changes and lead to brighter colors. However, the region has been seeing above average temperatures. Other forecasts on the internet were not predicting a drastic drop in temperatures until sometime in October. “Severe drought during the growing season tends to cause trees to begin to turn color early and not last as long; it can even lead them to skip color all together, browning and falling before fall even really gets started,” wrote Andrea Thompson in a 2016 Scientific American post. “More moderate drought, on the other hand, can actually delay the onset of fall color,” the post continued. “Like drought, severe heat stress can contribute to the early browning and loss of leaves, while moderate heat can actually delay the change to fall colors, because trees aren’t getting the signal that fall is here,” she added. A Facebook post on PA Weather Plus LLC echoed some of the same effects on this year’s fall display in Pennsylvania. “In general, I expect fall foliage to peak a little earlier this year than in most regular years, due to the recent cool and dry pattern. The developing drought stress from mid-to-late summer is already causing leaves to drop across portions of the state. While a general warming trend is still expected into mid-September, we will still have plenty of cooler nights to satisfy the leaves changing. The best conditions for fall foliage colors are cool, crisp nights followed by seasonable/warm sunny days,” the post continued. |     |
An accompanying graphic listed the region’s peak display as leaning toward mid-October. The graphic stated that the exact dates could be anywhere between Oct. 13 – Oct. 21.
A graphic posted by Uncovering PA also highlighted the second week of October for peak colors in our region.
Still yet, other Facebook posts touted the first week of October as the peak for foliage in the region.
A graphic posted by Uncovering PA also highlighted the second week of October for peak colors in our region.
Still yet, other Facebook posts touted the first week of October as the peak for foliage in the region.
Wild asters
The Pennsylvania DCNR hasn’t released its foliage reports quite yet, but they should be coming within a matter of days. In 2024, the region’s best color reportedly started on Oct. 17.
A look back at some other reports saw that in 2018 Venango County hadn’t reached its best color until the last week in October. In contrast, the report for 2022 saw colors starting to fade by the third week in October.
A look back at some other reports saw that in 2018 Venango County hadn’t reached its best color until the last week in October. In contrast, the report for 2022 saw colors starting to fade by the third week in October.
We still have a few days to see just how much the higher temperatures and lower rainfall totals will impact our fall display. Many of the leaves I have seen have just turned brown and fallen to the ground. However, there were a few peaks of color here and there.
That’s just the nature of things ‘round here.
That’s just the nature of things ‘round here.
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