Forecast: Cool, Wet Pattern We're In Is Not Too Gloomy When Weighing Benefits

In any typical year, early spring in New England, including the month of April, is cool and wet. Over the past five years or so, spring hasn't been very wet or very cool.

You have to go back to 2011 to find a wet April — that's a long time. Our collective memories are short, and while it might seem like this rainy weather isn't typical, it's actually, over time, more the norm.

If you are one of those people who feels like cloudy, wet weather is depressing, try to think more about the positives of this type of weather. The rain is great for plant life. The cool weather ensures spring doesn't get off to a super fast start where plant growth is out of control and can mean we miss some of the finer parts of the spring's changing colors.

The added moisture will hopefully help some of the fungi, which attack our gypsy moth population, and maybe there will be less defoliation than last year. Our rivers, streams, lakes and vernal pools are rising to levels we haven't seen in years. This is great for populations of salamanders and frogs, which need pools of water to breed.

Wells are being replenished as ground water rises. Some folks had issues with water availability the past few years and municipal water supplies should also be in better shape heading into this summer.

Pollen counts remain lower than the past few years when the lack of rain didn't bring about many opportunities to cleanse the air.

While today brings the clouds, Thursday brings more rain. There likely will be torrential downpours for the evening commute.

If you don't feel a bit better about April precipitation after Thursday's rain, there is a drier period with warmer air on the way for later this weekend and next week. As a matter of fact, the increase in temperatures and additional sunshine should really bring about a big boost to spring growth.

You can follow my updates here and on Twitter @growingwisdom.

Wednesday: Cloudy and very cool. Highs 40-44.

Wednesday Night: Cloudy. Lows 35-41.

Thursday: Rain returns, some evening downpours. Gusty winds. Highs in the lower to mid-40s.

Friday: Cloudy and cool. Some showers. Highs in the mid-40s.

Saturday: Partly cloudy with possible showers. Highs near 50.

Sunday: Sunshine returns with warmer temperatures. Highs 56-63.