April Showers Bring May Flowers: The Importance of Measuring Rainfall in Your Area
They say “April showers bring forth May flowers,” but are April showers really responsible for bringing out the flowers? Depending on where you live, the answer may surprise you.
Rainfall rates and precipitation trends vary across the country. Southern states get heavy rainfall in March, Californians rarely get full months of heavy rainfall at all, Nebraska’s wettest month is May, and New York receives increased precipitation in April but there are typically more rainy days in March.
April Showers
While it’s important to know that spring rainfall totals vary by region, the amount of rain can also vary widely over short distances, even within just a mile or two. Relying on local TV meteorologists or a weather app only tells you about general rainfall totals over a larger area without telling you anything about the rainfall at specific locations. Knowing precise rainfall totals in your own backyard is not only interesting but can be practical as well. Tracking and measuring with a rain gauge or weather station is a vital endeavor for weekend gardeners, professional landscapers, and farmers too. Gathering the right type of hyperlocal weather data reveals the best times for planting and informs how much – and how often – to water your prized plants and finicky lawn.
Green thumbs aren’t the only ones who benefit from measuring rainfall. Outdoor activities and seasonal hobbies can be weather dependent too. By measuring, you’ll know if it’s the right day to hit the links or if an abundance of rain this week might mean the course is too soggy. If you’re in an area prone to flooding, monitoring and tracking trends on your property can even alert you to potential flooding conditions that could damage your home.
Measuring Rainfall
With quality weather sensors and rain gauges, you can stay one step ahead and maybe even impress your friends and neighbors with precise, hyperlocal rainfall measurements. Your tools for the job range from the most basic and budget-friendly rain gauges to state-of-the-art weather stations like the new AcuRite Atlas®, which in addition to measuring rainfall, can also detect lightning, monitor UV levels, track wind speed, and more.
So, before April’s up, ask yourself, did April showers really bring May flowers? Measuring rainfall using AcuRite’s various tools is the best way to track weather patterns and plan your activities with confidence.
Whether it’s April, May, or June showers, we at AcuRite hope the flowers are in full bloom soon.
