April in New York brought a stretch of persistent rain that left parts of the state dealing with flooded basements, swollen creeks and fast-moving waterfalls. At times, it felt like the state might need an ark.
“It’s spring,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Liz Jurkowski, noting that people often forget how wet April can be year to year. While April 2026 was wetter than normal in many areas, it did not reach record-breaking levels statewide.
How wet was April in Rochester?
Despite the soggy conditions, Rochester did not come close to its wettest April on record. According to the National Weather Service in Buffalo, Rochester’s wettest April was in 2011, when 5.81 inches of rain fell at Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport. The 10th-wettest April on record was 2024, with 4.35 inches. As of April 29, Rochester recorded 4.08 inches of rain this year.
Buffalo sees one of its wettest Aprils
Buffalo also experienced a notably wet month but did not break records. The city’s wettest April was 2017, when 6.38 inches of rain fell at Buffalo Niagara International Airport. As of April 30, Buffalo ranked sixth-wettest April on record with 5.58 inches of rain.
Watertown among top five wettest Aprils
In Watertown, the wettest April on record also occurred in 2011, with 5.42 inches of rain. This year, the city recorded 5.02 inches as of April 30, making it the fifth-wettest April on record.
April rainfall totals across New York
Here’s how major cities across New York measured up as of April 30:
Bottom line
While April 2026 brought widespread rain and localized flooding concerns, it remained within historical norms for most of New York, falling short of record-setting conditions in major cities.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Flooded basements, rising creeks. How wet was April in New York State?
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
