Rains over, "drought watch" isn’t
Despite a rainy start to April, longer-term precipitation deficits remain.
In the first week of April the region has had three decent rain events, even if the totals weren't quite as robust as computer models suggested.
In the last 30 days, precipitation totals throughout the region have been about 150 percent of normal, according to the government's Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center.
And at long last, with the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor update, Delaware County and all the immediate Philadelphia area have escaped the shadow of the pesky "abnormally dry" zone.
But both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Departments of Environmental Protection still have the eight-county region under "drought watch."
While those designations might not be taking the latest rainfall into account, don't be surprised if the flags stay up with next week's update.
The next several days are looking mostly dry and beautiful, ideal for yard work and tree pollen.
Some of us might miss the rain.