Fact or Fiction?: April Showers Bring May Flowers

Do April showers really bring May flowers? This well-known saying is often said during a spring rainfall, but how true is it? 

Hepatica blooms. (Photo by Brittany Schaller)

Yes, April can be a rainy month, but is it the rainiest month in Will County? No. The data from the last decade shows the highest amount of precipitation in June, then May, then April. In those 10 years, June averaged 5.8 inches of rain, while April averaged 5 inches of rainfall. In fact, in the past 10 years, April has not once ranked as Will County's rainiest month.  

May doesn't mark the beginning of spring blooms. Native ephemeral flowers can be found sprouting up as early as mid-March in Will County.  

So where does the saying “April showers bring May flowers” come from?  

This rhyme is believed to have come from the prologue of “The Canterbury Tales.” This book was written by Geoffrey Chaucer long ago, between the years 1387 and 1400. Chaucer was from England, but even in the United Kingdom, April is the fourth rainiest month of the year.  

The rhyme we know came from the part of the opening passage about the rebirth of spring. A translation describes April's sweet showers penetrating the dry ground left behind by a windy March month, hydrating plant roots and encouraging flowers to emerge from the ground. 

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Words to know

Ephemeral: Lasting for a very short time.

Hydrate: To cause to absorb water.

Prologue: The introductory section of a literary or musical work.

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April might have the reputation for being the rainiest month, but perhaps we are simply noticing the change from cold winter snows to light spring rains. April is when the last bits of snow precipitation turn to rain precipitation as temperatures begin to climb. This warmer weather and wet rain help the ground wake up from its winter dormancy, allowing flowers to bloom. 

See it in action. Take frequent hikes through the woods, paying close attention to the forest floor. Make note of how things change through these early spring months. Make your own rain gauge to track the rainfall in your neighborhood. Don't let a rainy day stop you from exploring the forest. Embrace it — get wet in the woods! 

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