Crocuses
After what seemed like an endless winter, the snowpack has melted, and signs of spring are appearing. The first day of spring or the vernal equinox was on Thursday, March 20. That date marked when day and night were equally long. From this point on, the region will see more daylight and less night.
Hemlock branch
However, just because the calendar said it was spring doesn’t mean the weather will cooperate.
The Farmers’ Almanac, the Old Farmers’ Almanac and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offered a few suggestions on what the coming spring season may bring.
The Farmers’ Almanac long range weather forecast says spring weather will take its time arriving, allowing winter conditions to linger, especially across the Midwest, Great Lakes, New England, and Northeast regions,” said a post on the almanac's website.
The Farmers’ Almanac long range weather forecast says spring weather will take its time arriving, allowing winter conditions to linger, especially across the Midwest, Great Lakes, New England, and Northeast regions,” said a post on the almanac's website.
Snowdrops
A graphic on the site depicts Pennsylvania as cool and wet for the spring season.
“Temperatures will run somewhat coolish for the northern and central regions…,” the post said.
However, it did predict pleasant weather for Easter.
“Temperatures will run somewhat coolish for the northern and central regions…,” the post said.
However, it did predict pleasant weather for Easter.
Crocuses
A graphic on The Old Farmer's Almanac website painted a slightly different picture for Pennsylvania’s spring. It depicted that our state would be warm and wet this spring.
“The U.S. spring outlook predicts warmer-than-normal temperatures for most of the country …,” the post said.
However, the almanac also added the “best chances for some late-season snowflakes (outside of the mountains of the West) will be across the Lower Great Lakes, an area that may experience chillier weather during April.”
“The U.S. spring outlook predicts warmer-than-normal temperatures for most of the country …,” the post said.
However, the almanac also added the “best chances for some late-season snowflakes (outside of the mountains of the West) will be across the Lower Great Lakes, an area that may experience chillier weather during April.”
Snowflake flowers emerging
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s spring outlook predicted “above-average temperatures for the East and Gulf Coast regions…”
According to the administration, “The East Coast and much of the western U.S. have had below-average precipitation during the winter months, resulting in a low threat of significant spring flooding. However, heavy rainfall at any time can lead to flooding.”
The post also weighed in on the outlook for some areas experiencing drought.
“Moderate-to-exceptional drought conditions currently exist across more than 40% of the continental U.S.
Drought conditions are likely to persist in the Southwest and parts of the Rocky Mountains, while drought improvement is forecast for the Great Lakes region,” the administration said.
According to the administration, “The East Coast and much of the western U.S. have had below-average precipitation during the winter months, resulting in a low threat of significant spring flooding. However, heavy rainfall at any time can lead to flooding.”
The post also weighed in on the outlook for some areas experiencing drought.
“Moderate-to-exceptional drought conditions currently exist across more than 40% of the continental U.S.
Drought conditions are likely to persist in the Southwest and parts of the Rocky Mountains, while drought improvement is forecast for the Great Lakes region,” the administration said.
Robins
| Meanwhile, a look at Franklin’s weather statistics revealed a cooler and wetter February than normal. According to data from the National Weather Service the average temperature for February 2025 was 33 degrees, which was lower than the normal of 36.3 degrees. The total snowfall for the month was recorded at 7.5 inches, which was lower than the normal of 11.5 inches. However, 3.84 inches of total precipitation was above the normal of 2.66 inches. The highest temperature reported was 52 degrees on Feb. 4. The lowest temperature was 0 on the night of Feb. 19. So far this month, the temperature bottomed out at 13 degrees on March 2. |  Daffodil |
Skunk cabbage
The highest temperature was 76 degrees on March 20. The record set for this date was 80 degrees in 1918. Franklin hit 75 on March 15 and it fell short of the record of 79 degrees set in 1990.
Eastern comma
Meanwhile, other signs of spring have been popping up.
Snowflakes
In the yard, snowdrops, snowflakes and crocuses made an appearance above ground.
Facebook memories showed me that on March 19, 2024, there were daffodils out. However, they were covered in snow. This year the yellow flowers were budding, but only one had bloomed.
A memory from there were crocuses out in early March, but again they snow-covered. This year my crocuses didn’t bloom until March 19.
Facebook memories showed me that on March 19, 2024, there were daffodils out. However, they were covered in snow. This year the yellow flowers were budding, but only one had bloomed.
A memory from there were crocuses out in early March, but again they snow-covered. This year my crocuses didn’t bloom until March 19.
Skunk cabbage
Mallard ducks In the woods, the skunk cabbage was seen blooming as early as March 2.
The plant’s ability to perform thermogenesis helps it grow in icy conditions by melting the snow around it.
The neighbor’s pond saw the return of Canada geese and a mallard couple.
However, no one sticks around when we make the rounds.I spotted a couple of bluebirds checking out the nesting box in my parents’ yard earlier this month. Otherwise, the turkey vultures, robins and red-winged blackbirds were back for the season.
The plant’s ability to perform thermogenesis helps it grow in icy conditions by melting the snow around it.
The neighbor’s pond saw the return of Canada geese and a mallard couple.
However, no one sticks around when we make the rounds.I spotted a couple of bluebirds checking out the nesting box in my parents’ yard earlier this month. Otherwise, the turkey vultures, robins and red-winged blackbirds were back for the season.
Canada geese
Gray comma
Mouring cloak
Flitting about in the woods were several butterflies on warmer days. My first butterfly sighting was a gray comma butterfly on March 13. In the following days I was able to capture photos of some Eastern commas and a mourning cloak butterfly.
Wood frog
Wood frog eggs On some of the balmier days the air was filled with the calls of wood frogs. I first heard their unique choruses of croaks on March 16.
“Wood frogs are one of the first frogs to begin the breeding season, usually in early March. During the breeding season, males can be heard making quack-like calls day and night,” said a post on the frogs by the National Wildlife Federation.
“These frogs have adapted to cold climates by freezing over the winter. During this time, they stop breathing and their hearts stop beating. Their bodies produce a special antifreeze substance that prevents ice from freezing within their cells, which would be deadly. Ice does form, however, in the spaces between the cells. When the weather warms, the frogs thaw and begin feeding and mating again,” the federation posted.
“Wood frogs are one of the first frogs to begin the breeding season, usually in early March. During the breeding season, males can be heard making quack-like calls day and night,” said a post on the frogs by the National Wildlife Federation.
“These frogs have adapted to cold climates by freezing over the winter. During this time, they stop breathing and their hearts stop beating. Their bodies produce a special antifreeze substance that prevents ice from freezing within their cells, which would be deadly. Ice does form, however, in the spaces between the cells. When the weather warms, the frogs thaw and begin feeding and mating again,” the federation posted.
Wood frogs
Wood frogs were the only things active in the water this month. Pond samples revealed a world of microscopic creatures who were still busy despite a layer of ice above them. Algae, microbes, diatoms and others created some greenery despite the gray skies above the water.
| | One such sample contained a tardigrade. “Tardigrades were discovered in 1773 by the German zoologist Johann August Ephraim Goeze, who nicknamed them ‘little water bears,’” in an article on the creatures by Mindy Weisberger. “Under a microscope, you can see their plump, segmented bodies and flat heads. They have eight legs, each tipped with four to eight claws,” Weisberger posted. |
Copepod
Tardigrades are quite hardy.
“They can survive punishing heat, freezing cold, ultraviolet radiation and even outer space. They do this by becoming dried-out little balls, called "tuns," and almost stopping their metabolism (the way they get energy from food), reviving only when conditions are better. In fact, these tough little water bears will probably survive long after humanity is gone, research has found,” Weisberger continued.
“They can survive punishing heat, freezing cold, ultraviolet radiation and even outer space. They do this by becoming dried-out little balls, called "tuns," and almost stopping their metabolism (the way they get energy from food), reviving only when conditions are better. In fact, these tough little water bears will probably survive long after humanity is gone, research has found,” Weisberger continued.
Meanwhile, goats Milo and Otis survived the winter with the help of a doghouse heater in their goat shed. On some of the colder days they didn’t even venture out. However, warmer days have them feeling some spring fever. They were still waiting for some green leaves to appear.
Their woodland counter parts, the deer, dealt with the ups and downs of the weather. As spring approached, the bucks began to drop their antlers. A photo captured on Feb. 23 showed that one buck had shed an antler. Another photo from March 1 showed a buck still hanging on to both horns. However, by mid-March there were no deer with antlers on camera.
Their woodland counter parts, the deer, dealt with the ups and downs of the weather. As spring approached, the bucks began to drop their antlers. A photo captured on Feb. 23 showed that one buck had shed an antler. Another photo from March 1 showed a buck still hanging on to both horns. However, by mid-March there were no deer with antlers on camera.
Jeb
The deer were also starting to move around more. Other forest critters like coyotes, raccoons, groundhogs, possums and more were traversing our trails more. This meant that canines, Clem, Sadie, Gus and Jeb, were hot on their trails. However, the animals were usually long gone or out of the dogs’ reach.
Jeb was growing fast and going fast. He outgrew his fear of water and had even contemplated swimming on a few of the warmer days.
As the days grew longer and greener scenery appeared, it sure did seem that winter was over. However, as western Pennsylvanians we all know better. That there still could be a few cold days in store. We still have a few months until the threat of frost is out of the picture. That’s just the nature of things ‘round here.
Jeb was growing fast and going fast. He outgrew his fear of water and had even contemplated swimming on a few of the warmer days.
As the days grew longer and greener scenery appeared, it sure did seem that winter was over. However, as western Pennsylvanians we all know better. That there still could be a few cold days in store. We still have a few months until the threat of frost is out of the picture. That’s just the nature of things ‘round here.
Eastern comma
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