The mantra about April showers was exceptionally true for April 2026 as the National Weather Service reported that there was an excessive amount of rainfall in Erie, along with above normal temperatures.
Karen Clark, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Cleveland which handles the Erie forecast, said Erie County received a total of 5.10 inches of precipitation in April with all but a small trace being rainfall compared to snowfall.
Clark said the average amount of precipitation Erie usually sees in April is around 3.7 inches.
“So this was above normal,” Clark said. “It’s does not make the top 10 wettest Aprils in Erie history, but it isn’t too far out.”
More: Two Erie attractions make top five in USA Today’s 10Best lists
The top three wettest Aprils in Erie County history
The top three wettest Aprils in Erie County history, according to the National Weather Service, are:
April of 1947 with 8.8 inches of precipitation;
April of 1961 with 7.11 inches of precipitation; and
April of 1937 with 7.03 inches of precipitation.
“Those records could also include the liquids that fall from snowfall,” Clark said. “It just includes all liquids for the month.”
In the month of April, the most rainfall in Erie County landed more on the eastern side of the county which received between 6 to 8 inches of rainfall.
“The lower precipitation was in the western side of the county and more in the southern part of the county which was a 4- to 5-inch category,” Clark said.
Erie ranks No. 103 on heaviest rainfall list from Climate Central
On Climate Central’s Heaviest Rainfall Data list for 2026, Erie ranks 103rd out of 129 cities with an 8% change in simple hourly rainfall intensity index from 1970 through 2025. The Wichita area in Kansas ranks first with a 38% increase. The analysis is based on open-access data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from 1970 through 2025.
Climate Central states this data illustrates that “climate change is supercharging the water cycle, bringing heavier rainfall extremes and related flood risks across the U.S.”
Climatecentral.org reports that the hourly rainfall intensity across every region in the U.S. has increased. The largest increase has been reported in the upper Midwest area of the country.
Erie sees above average temperatures for April 2026
While Erie County did not break any rainfall records in April, the month was one of the top three warmest Aprils in Erie history.
Clark says that Erie County temperatures reach 5.1 degrees above normal for the month, giving the month of April a value of 52.5 degrees.
This was the third warmest April in Erie history. The top two warmest Aprils in Erie were in 1921 when temperatures reached 53.7 degrees and 1878 when temperatures reached 53.5 degrees.
Precipitation outlook for the month of May
The Climate Precipitation Center does not have a clear outlook on the potential precipitation amount for May, yet.
More: Erie’s snowfall total this winter was below normal. How much snow fell?
“They are highlighting a greater potential for below normal temperatures,” Clark said. “But in terms of precipitation they are saying its equal chances of above normal precipitation for the month of May.”
Contact Nicholas Sorensen at Nsorensen@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie sees excessive rainfall, warm temperatures for April 2026