Salamander Forecast

Spring amphibian migrations are spurred by a combination of thawed ground, warm nighttime temperatures (above 40°F), and wet weather — though temperature fluctuations and varying snow depth mean that Big Night often occurs at different times in different places. Spring weather in New England is notoriously fickle, so check back often for the most up-to-date forecast!

May 8, 2023

The bulk of the spring amphibian migration has come to an end. Stragglers will certainly migrate back to the woods from their breeding wetlands whenever it next rains at night — and you may still find toads and gray tree frogs migrating to their breeding sites on warm, rainy nights in May — but concentrated “Big Nights” are likely over for the year. We won’t be updating the salamander forecast again until 2024.

That said, do stay alert, as frogs and toads will be out and about on rainy nights all summer long — especially on roads near wetlands, lakes, ponds, and other water bodies — and they can always use a helping hand!

May 7, 2023

It seems unlikely that we’ll have another Big Night this spring, though some additional migration is certainly possible if it rains after dark in the next week or two. Tonight’s forecast calls for a 60% chance of showers starting around 11 p.m. If the rain lingers long enough, the combination of warm temperatures and wet weather could spur toads, gray tree frogs, and other warm-weather amphibians to action!

If you’re awake when the showers move through and you’re eager to hold onto salamander season just a bit longer, don your reflective vest and flashlight and head to your nearest crossing to see if amphibians are afoot! If you go, don’t forget to submit your counts and photos via the online forms on our Volunteer Materials page.

Note: The North Lincoln Street and Jordan Road crossing sites in Keene will not be closed to vehicles again until next spring. If you venture out to those sites, reflective vests, bright lights, and staying alert to traffic are absolute musts.

May 5, 2023

It seems unlikely that we’ll have another Big Night this spring, though some additional migration is certainly possible if it rains after dark in the next week or two. We’ll keep the forecast going just a little while longer, for those of you who still want to head out in search of peepers, toads, gray tree frogs, and other late-spring amphibians one last time…

May 3, 2023

This past weekend brought steady nighttime rain and temperatures in the mid- to upper 40s — perfect conditions for a Big Night, had they taken place earlier in April. Instead, there was only a trickle of movement at most sites, a sign that salamander season is coming to a close. There’s a 50% chance of showers tonight. If the rain sticks around long enough, that trickle of migration could continue. There is no nighttime rain in the extended forecast after tonight, so unless that changes, tonight could be the final hurrah!

If it’s raining after dark where you are and you’re eager to hold onto salamander season just a bit longer, don your reflective vest and flashlight and head to your nearest crossing to see if amphibians are afoot! If you go, don’t forget to submit your counts and photos via the online forms on our Volunteer Materials page. We’re especially interested in hearing what percentage of amphibians were heading away from their breeding wetlands — as well as reports from people who went out in perfect conditions but did not find amphibians. You can include that info in a note at the end of the “Submit Counts” form.

If you’re looking for company on the road in the Monadnock Region, Site Coordinators will be out at North Lincoln Street (Keene) and Jordan Road (Keene), at least as long as there is amphibian activity. Site Coordinators will not be out at Eastern Avenue (Keene), Matthews Road (Swanzey), Granite Lake Road (Nelson), or River Road (Westmoreland) tonight. We’ll update this list with more information as it comes in.

Note: The North Lincoln Street and Jordan Road crossing sites in Keene will not be closed to vehicles tonight. If you venture out to those sites, reflective vests, bright lights, and staying alert to traffic are absolute musts.

May 2, 2023

This past weekend brought steady nighttime rain and temperatures in the mid- to upper 40s — perfect conditions for a Big Night, had they taken place earlier in the season. Instead, there was only a trickle of movement at most sites, a sign that salamander season is coming to a close. If showers continue after dark tonight, that slow trickle could continue. Tomorrow night is also a possibility.

If it’s raining after dark where you are and you’re eager to hold onto salamander season just a bit longer, don your reflective vest and flashlight and head to your nearest crossing to see if amphibians are afoot! If you go, don’t forget to submit your counts and photos via the online forms on our Volunteer Materials page. We’re especially interested in hearing what percentage of amphibians were heading away from their breeding wetlands — as well as reports from people who went out in perfect conditions but did not find amphibians — as this helps us gauge just how close we are to the end of the migration season. You can include that info in a note at the end of the “Submit Counts” form.

May 1, 2023

Last night brought steady rain and temperatures in the mid- to upper 40s — perfect conditions for a Big Night, had they taken place earlier in the season. Instead, there was but a slow trickle of movement at most sites, a sign that salamander season is coming to a close. (We’ll post a full field report here when we’ve tallied all the counts.) Based on this information, it seems unlikely that we’ll have another Big Night this spring, though some additional migration is certainly possible if it rains after dark in the next week. We’ll keep the forecast going a little while longer, for those of you who still want to head out in search of peepers, toads, gray tree frogs, and other late-spring amphibians one last time…. Right now, Wednesday holds promise!

April 30, 2023

Last night turned out to be much smaller than anticipated. We’ll post a field report here once the numbers have been tallied, but in sum: peepers were out and about, but most other species made themselves scarce in the hours just after sunset. It’s possible that amphibian activity picked up after heavier rain moved in around 11 p.m., or that temperatures in the low- to mid-40s don’t feel as warm to our ectothermic friends as they did earlier in the season. Tonight seems more promising, with sold rain lasting through the night and temperatures that are expected to rise into the 50s. If amphibians aren’t afoot in these near-perfect conditions tonight, then we’ll know that the season has truly come to an end. By now, you know what to do…

If it’s raining after dark where you are, don your reflective vest and flashlight and head to your nearest crossing to see if amphibians are afoot! If you go, don’t forget to submit your counts and photos via the online forms on our Volunteer Materials page. We’re especially interested in hearing what percentage of amphibians were heading away from their breeding wetlands — as well as reports from people who went out in perfect conditions but did not find amphibians — as this helps us gauge just how close we are to the end of the migration season. You can include that info in a note at the end of the “Submit Counts” form.

If you’re looking for company on the road in the Monadnock Region, Site Coordinators will be out at North Lincoln Street (Keene), Jordan Road (Keene), Nelson Road (Nelson), Summer Street (Peterborough), and Swanzey Lake Road (Swanzey), at least as long as there is amphibian activity. Site Coordinators will not be out at Eastern Avenue (Keene), Matthews Road (Swanzey), Granite Lake Road (Nelson), or River Road (Westmoreland) tonight. We’ll update this list with more information as it comes in.

The North Lincoln Street crossing site in Keene will be closed to vehicles tonight, and Jordan Road in Keene will be closed to through-traffic as well. Critter counts will continue at both sites, in part so we can report on how many amphibians benefited from the road closures. Although visitors are welcome at the North Lincoln Street crossing site, we ask that only trained Salamander Crossing Brigade volunteers in proper safety attire come to the Jordan Road crossing. You can find more information on the Keene amphibian detours here.

April 29, 2023

At this point in the season, it’s difficult to know which Big Night will be the last, but this will likely be the last week of concentrated migration for much of the Monadnock Region. Significant rain is in the forecast for both tonight and Sunday. If it comes through as predicted, we could see spotted salamanders migrating away from their vernal pools, as well as the continued movement of toads, gray tree frogs, and other warm-weather species. The question for tonight is timing. As of noon, the forecast is calling for a 50% chance of showers after sunset, shifting to a steadier rain after 10 or 11 p.m. Whenever it rains, amphibians will likely be on the move — but will we be awake to see it?

If you’re looking for company on the road in the Monadnock Region, Site Coordinators will be out at North Lincoln Street (Keene), Jordan Road (Keene), Granite Lake Road (Nelson), and Summer Street (Peterborough), at least as long as there is amphibian activity. Site Coordinators will not be out at Eastern Avenue (Keene), Matthews Road (Swanzey), Swanzey Lake Road (Swanzey), or River Road (Westmoreland) tonight. We’ll update this list with more information as it comes in.

April 27, 2023

Last night’s rain never materialized, but Saturday and Sunday both look promising. Stay tuned…

April 26, 2023

Spotted salamander eggs are now appearing in vernal pools throughout the Monadnock Region, and wood frog eggs are starting to hatch — signs that we may be nearing the end of salamander season. That said, we could still see a concentrated migration away from vernal pools for species whose courtship is over for the year, as well as the continued movement of American toads, gray tree frogs, and other warm-weather species toward their breeding wetlands. There’s a chance of rain after 9 p.m. tonight. If it materializes and sticks around long enough to soak in, amphibians could be on the move, but it’s not a sure thing. After tonight, we’re looking to the weekend, which may be a soaker….

If you’re still awake when (and if) tonight’s rain arrives and you’re up for the adventure, don your reflective vest and flashlight and head to your nearest crossing to see what you can see. If you go, don’t forget to submit your counts and photos via the online forms on our Volunteer Materials page. At this point in the season, it’s tough to know how many amphibians have yet to migrate or which Big Night will be the last, so we’re especially interested in hearing what percentage of amphibians were heading away from their breeding wetlands — as well as reports from people who went out in perfect conditions, but did not find amphibians — as this helps us gauge how close we are to the end of the migration season. You can include that info in a note at the end of the “Submit Counts” form.

Note: Due to the uncertainty of this evening’s forecast, the North Lincoln Street and Jordan Road crossing sites in Keene will not be closed to vehicles tonight. If you venture out to those sites, reflective vests, bright lights, and staying alert to traffic are absolute musts.

April 25, 2023

Spotted salamander eggs are now appearing in vernal pools throughout the Monadnock Region, and wood frog eggs are starting to hatch — signs that we may be nearing the end of salamander season. That said, we could still see a concentrated migration away from vernal pools for species whose courtship is over for the year, as well as the continued movement of American toads, gray tree frogs, and other warm-weather species toward their breeding wetlands. So, we’ll keep watching the weather for another week or two! Our next chances for evening rain are Wednesday and Friday, though they’re both fairly spotty (no pun intended) at the moment. Stay tuned…

April 24, 2023

Last night was a Small Night, certainly smaller than we would have expected given the steady light rain. (We’ll post a field report here as soon as the counts are tallied.) Our guess is that there was a lull following Saturday night’s deluge — that is, that all the amphibians who were ready to migrate went in Saturday’s late-night downpour, and the ones who didn’t migrate on Saturday weren’t quite ready to go yet. Our next chances for evening rain are Wednesday and Friday, though they’re both fairly spotty (no pun intended) at the moment. Stay tuned!

April 23, 2023

We don’t have the counts to show for it, because last night’s deluge moved through after most Crossing Brigadiers were tucked away for the night, but we’re guessing it was a Big Night! The current forecast calls for rain all day today, heavy at times, transitioning into showers after dark. If the wet weather does indeed continue after nightfall and if there are any amphibians who didn’t make their move last night, they could go for it tonight.

If it’s raining after dark where you are, don your reflective vest and flashlight and head to your nearest crossing to see if amphibians are afoot! If you go, don’t forget to submit your counts and photos via the online forms on our Volunteer Materials page. One additional note: at this point in the season, it’s tough to know how many amphibians have yet to migrate or which Big Night will be the last. So, we’re especially interested in hearing what percentage of amphibians were heading away from their breeding wetlands — as well as reports from people who went out in perfect conditions, but did not find amphibians — as this helps us gauge how close we are to the end of the migration season. You can include that info in a note at the end of the “Submit Counts” form.

If you’re looking for company on the road in the Monadnock Region, Site Coordinators will be out at North Lincoln Street (Keene), Jordan Road (Keene), Nelson Road (Nelson), and Summer Street (Peterborough), at least as long as there is amphibian activity. Site Coordinators will not be out at Eastern Avenue (Keene), Matthews Road (Swanzey), Swanzey Lake Road (Swanzey), or River Road (Westmoreland).

April 22, 2023

Wet weather is on the way! Tonight and tomorrow both hold potential for significant evening rain, but tonight’s rain is not expected to arrive until after midnight — a boon for the salamanders and frogs, who will have fewer cars to contend with, but less exciting for us Brigadiers. Tomorrow’s timing, however, looks promising…

If you’re a night owl who’s still awake when tonight’s rain arrives and you’re up for the adventure, don your reflective vest and flashlight and head to your nearest crossing to see what you can see. If you go, don’t forget to submit your counts and photos via the online forms on our Volunteer Materials page. If you turn into a pumpkin after midnight, sit tight, as the migration may well continue in the early evening hours tomorrow. We’ll keep you posted.

April 21, 2023

Wet weather is on the way! Saturday, Sunday, and Monday all hold potential for significant evening rain. The first rain will likely spur the biggest movement, but amphibians could be out and about on subsequent nights too. At the moment, Saturday’s rain is not expected to arrive until after 11 p.m. — a boon for the salamanders and frogs, who will have fewer cars to contend with, but less exciting for us Brigadiers. Sunday’s timing, however, looks particularly promising. Stay tuned…

April 19, 2023

Amphibians were on the move all throughout the Monadnock Region in Monday’s early evening rain, though amphibian activity slowed as the ground began to dry after 9:30 p.m. or so. (We’re still hard at work crunching the numbers and sorting through photos from Monday’s migration, but we’ll post details on our Field Reports page as soon as we can.) Many of the wood frogs in Monday’s migration were leaving the wetlands, their courtship and egg-laying done for the year, but most of the spotted salamanders were still headed to the pools and peepers were moving in both directions — so, while we may be at the midway point in the season, there’s likely still some migration yet to come!

Looking forward, our next chance of evening rain is the weekend. Sunday looks more promising than Saturday at the moment, but the forecast could change ten times by then. Stay tuned!

April 17, 2023

The current forecast calls for a 50% chance of showers between sunset and 11 p.m. tonight. If they arrive, any amphibians who didn’t make their move earlier in the season will likely take this opportunity to migrate. Some may be heading back to the woods as well, their courtship and egg-laying done for the year. Remember to always move amphibians in the direction they were heading when you first encountered them. They know where they need to go!

If the ground is wet after dark where you are, don your reflective vest and flashlight and head to your nearest crossing to see if amphibians are afoot! If you go, don’t forget to submit your counts and photos via the online forms on our Volunteer Materials page.

If you’re looking for company on the road in the Monadnock Region, Site Coordinators will be out at North Lincoln Street (Keene), Jordan Road (Keene), Granite Lake Road (Nelson), Nelson Road (Nelson), Summer Street (Peterborough), Swanzey Lake Road (Swanzey), and Glebe Road (Westmoreland), at least as long as there is amphibian activity. Site Coordinators will not be out at Matthews Road (Swanzey) or Eastern Avenue (Keene), where we don’t have Site Coordinators for this year.

April 16, 2023

There’s a 40% chance of rain in the very wee hours tonight. If the rain materializes, amphibians will likely be on the move, but most of us won’t be awake to see it. (Thankfully, traffic will be much lighter at that hour!) If you’re still awake when the rain moves through and up for a late-night adventure, grab your flashlight and reflective vest and head to your nearest crossing — and don’t forget to submit your counts and photos via the online forms on our Volunteer Materials page.

Monday night also holds promise, though it may be a bit of a nail-biter. The current forecast calls for a 50% chance of showers between sunset and 10 p.m. that night. If the ground is wet after dark, any amphibians who didn’t make their move earlier in the season will likely take that opportunity to migrate, and some may be heading back to the woods — their courtship and egg-laying done for the year — as well. Stay tuned!

April 14, 2023

We’ve received several reports of wood frogs on the move last night — in bone-dry conditions! — in places that were too frozen for amphibian movement during our last nighttime rain. In this case, it seems, they just could not resist the unseasonably warm temperatures. (Wood frogs are less tied to wet weather than some of our other spring-migrating species.) Boy, does that make predicting the migration even more challenging!

With temperatures in the 80s today, it’s possible that wood frogs could be afoot in small numbers again tonight, but we’re keeping our eye on the rain forecast for this weekend and early next week. Whenever rain arrives after dark, amphibians will be on the move, but right now, Monday looks like it offers the greatest chance of rain happening while we’re all still awake to see it. Of course, all of that could change ten times by then, so keep your eye on the sky — and on this forecast — for new developments.

April 12, 2023

Finally, a chance of rain in the forecast! It’s too soon to say for sure, but we’re keeping our eye on the weekend weather. If and when nighttime rain finally arrives, amphibians will almost certainly be on the move.

April 7, 2023

Last-minute rain and balmy temperatures led to a surprise migration last night, with spotted salamanders, four-toed salamanders, spring peepers, wood frogs, and other species moving in good numbers in the early part of the evening, before the ground dried. (We’ll post a more detailed field report when the counts are in and tallied.) There’s no rain in the forecast for the next several days, but temperatures will be warm, so listen for wood frogs and peepers chorusing in a wetland near you!

April 6, 2023

There’s a 50% chance of early evening showers tonight, but they’re expected to end before nightfall. With today’s balmy temperatures, amphibians could be on the move if the timing shifts and the ground is still wet after dark, but any migration will likely slow as the ground dries. After today, we’re looking at an extended period of warm, dry weather, with no salamander weather in sight! Spring weather is notoriously fickle, so that could well change. We’ll keep you posted.

If the ground is wet after dark, don your reflective vest and flashlight, and head to your nearest crossing to see if amphibians are afoot! If it’s dry, sit tight and wait for another night. As always, if you do go out, don’t forget to submit your counts and photos via the online forms on our Volunteer Materials page.

April 5, 2023

There’s a 30-40% chance of showers starting at 8 p.m. tonight, but temperatures in the early part of the evening will likely be too chilly for amphibians. The best chance for migration will be after midnight, when the mercury is finally expected to rise above 40° — a boon for the cold-hardy frogs who will have fewer cars to contend with, but less exciting for us humans. This is another night where local conditions (a few degrees in either direction or the duration or intensity of rain showers in any one location) could make a big difference. We’re also keeping an eye on Thursday, which will be much warmer. However, Thursday’s rain is currently expected to wrap up before nightfall. The story’s the same for both nights: migration is possible, but it’s not a sure thing, and it could vary site by site.

If it’s raining and 40° or higher where you are, don your reflective vest and flashlight, and head to your nearest crossing to see if amphibians are afoot! If it’s dry or below 40°, it’s best to sit tight and wait for another night. As always, if you do go out, don’t forget to submit your counts and photos via the online forms on our Volunteer Materials page.

April 4, 2023

There’s a 40% chance of showers in the few hours after sunset tonight, with temperatures in the mid-40s. If the rain materializes and sticks around long enough to soak in, amphibians could be on the move in places with thawed ground. It’s possible that some parts of the Monadnock Region will experience a migration, while others will be too dry or too frozen — or that there could be a short burst of activity that slows as the rain moves out and the ground dries. In other words: migration is possible, but not a sure thing, and it will likely vary site by site. Paying attention to your local conditions will be especially important tonight.

If it’s raining after dark tonight and the ground is well-thawed in your neck of the woods, don your reflective vest and flashlight, and head to your nearest crossing! If it’s dry or there’s still a lot of snow on the ground, sit tight and wait for another night. If you do go out, don’t forget to submit your counts and photos via the online forms on our Volunteer Materials page.

April 3, 2023

We’re entering a period of unsettled weather, when there’s a chance of showers almost every evening for the next few nights. Timing, temperature, and duration of rain are all key factors. Right now, Monday night’s showers are forecast to arrive after midnight, Tuesday night’s showers are iffy and may be fleeting, Wednesday night’s temperatures are predicted to be a few degrees shy of frog-friendliness, and Thursday’s warm rain will likely wrap up before nightfall. Migration is possible, but not a sure thing, and could vary site by site. Right now, all we can do is watch the forecast and see what emerges. Stay tuned!

April 2, 2023

Amphibians were afoot in Keene, Swanzey, and Westmoreland during and after last night’s wild thunderstorms — we’ll post a field report as soon as we have all the numbers tallied — though movement slowed after the rain stopped and the ground began to dry. Looking ahead, Wednesday looks like our next good chance for evening rain, but the forecast could change twelve times before then. Stay tuned!

April 1, 2023

It turned colder than anticipated last night, with temperatures in the low to mid-30s by 8 p.m. and rain turning to snow and ice in many places. As a result, very few frogs were out and about. Temperatures will be significantly warmer tonight, and rain is likely. If it comes through as predicted, amphibian migration is likely at low-elevation and south-facing sites, where the ground has thawed.

However, thunderstorms are in the forecast as well, and this requires extra caution. As of 5 p.m., the forecast is calling for a chance of thunderstorms after 9 p.m., with showers after midnight. Wait until the thunderstorms have passed before heading out for amphibian crossings tonight. In addition, if you hear thunder, see lightning, or experience strong winds at any point tonight, take shelter in your car immediately. The CDC and National Weather Service recommend staying indoors (or in your car) for 30 minutes following the last clap of thunder or lightning. Depending on how close your crossing site is to where you live, you might also want to head home and wait out the storm there.

If you do head out in search of amphibians tonight, be sure to wear a reflective vest, carry a bright light, stay alert to changing weather conditions, and to submit your counts and photos via the online forms on our Volunteer Materials page.

If you’re looking for company on the road in the Monadnock Region, Site Coordinators will be out at North Lincoln Street (Keene) and Jordan Road (Keene), as long as it’s raining and safe to be outside. Site Coordinators will not be out at Nelson Road (Nelson), Granite Lake Road (Nelson), or Summer Street (Peterborough), where it’s still too snowy for amphibians, or at Matthews Road (Swanzey) or Eastern Avenue (Keene), where we don’t have Site Coordinators for this year. (We’ll update this information for other sites as we hear back from our Site Coordinators throughout the day.)

The North Lincoln Street crossing site in Keene will be closed to vehicles starting at 8:30 p.m. tonight, and Jordan Road in Keene will be closed to through-traffic starting at 8:30 p.m. as well. (Although these detours typically run from sunset to sunup, now that rain is not predicted to arrive until after 9 p.m., the closures will start a bit later than usual tonight.) Critter counts will continue at both sites, in part so we can report on how many amphibians benefited from the road closures. Although visitors are generally welcome at the North Lincoln Street crossing site when that road is closed for amphibians, given tonight’s chance of thunderstorms, it’s probably safest to sit this one out. (Don’t worry: there will be more migration nights to come!) In addition, we ask that only trained Salamander Crossing Brigade volunteers in proper safety attire come to the Jordan Road crossing. You can find more information on the Keene amphibian detours here.

March 31, 2023

Rain is on its way! The ground is still too frozen for migration in Nelson, Hancock, Harrisville, and other high-elevation locations, but there is potential for low-elevation sites with bare ground like Keene to see their first significant amphibian movement of the season. The big question tonight is temperature, as it will only be in the high 30s. However, wood frogs and spring peepers were both on the move in light rain in Keene on Monday — even after temperatures dropped to 39° — so we think tonight’s heavier rain could spur at least some of them to action again tonight. We’re also keeping a sharp eye on tomorrow’s forecast, when it will be significantly warmer. If tomorrow’s rain extends after dark, the migration could continue tomorrow night, but it’s too soon to say for sure.

If the ground is thawed, temperatures are lingering in the upper 30s, and it’s raining after dark where you are tonight, grab your reflective vest and flashlight, and head on out to your nearest crossing! If you go, don’t forget to submit your counts and photos via the online forms on our Volunteer Materials page.

If you’re looking for company on the road in the Monadnock Region, Site Coordinators will be out at North Lincoln Street (Keene), Jordan Road (Keene), Summer Street (Peterborough), and Glebe Road (Westmoreland), at least as long as there is amphibian activity. (The Keene folks will be on site until 10 p.m. or so, but other Site Coordinators may leave early if there isn’t any amphibian activity.) Site Coordinators will not be out at Nelson Road (Nelson) or Granite Lake Road (Nelson), where it’s still too snowy for amphibians, or at Matthews Road (Swanzey) or Eastern Avenue (Keene), where we don’t have Site Coordinators for this year. The Site Coordinator for Swanzey Lake Road (Swanzey) will also not be out tonight, but will be there tomorrow if the weather is promising for a migration.

March 29, 2023

We’re still keeping our eye on Friday and Saturday, when the forecast is calling for an extended period of rain. The ground will probably still be too frozen for a migration in Nelson, Hancock, Harrisville, and other high-elevation locations, but there is potential for low-elevation sites with bare ground like Keene and Swanzey to see their first significant amphibian movement of the season.

The uncertainties — there are always uncertainties — lie in the temperature and timing. Rain seems likely Friday night, but temperatures will only be in the high 30s. Will cold-hardy species like wood frogs and spring peepers make their move anyway? Saturday will be decidedly warmer, but the rain may wrap up around sunset. Will the warm temperatures and wet ground be enough to spur a migration, or will the salamanders and frogs hunker down when the rain ends? It’s too soon to tell.

March 28, 2023

The first trickle of migration began in Keene last night, with light rain and temperatures hovering right around 40. (Check out our field report page for more info.) Now, we’re keeping our eye on Friday and Saturday, when an extended rain event could usher in a truly Big Night. Temperatures are predicted to be right on the cusp of frog-friendliness on Friday, but to warm significantly by the time Saturday night rolls around. If the rain continues after dark on Saturday, the frog floodgates could open in places where the ground is well-thawed. Of course, the forecast could change ten times between now and then, so it’s too soon to say for sure. Stay tuned!

March 27, 2023

Rain seems likely tonight. If it comes through as predicted, we could see our first amphibian movement of the year at places with thawed ground, at least as long as the temperature lingers above 40°. (It will likely still be too cold and/or snowy at our higher-elevation sites.) Any movement could be short-lived, however, as temperatures are expected to dip into the 30s after 9 p.m.

If the ground has thawed where you are and you’re eager to see the first frogs of the year, don your reflective vest, grab your flashlight, and head on out shortly after sunset to see if amphibians are afoot! Before you go, be sure to check out what’s new with the Crossing Brigades in 2023, and review these helpful reminders for Big Nights. If you do go out, we’d love to hear what you find out there — even if it’s nothing. You can submit your counts and photos here.

Note: Due to the marginal temperatures predicted for this evening, the North Lincoln Street and Jordan Road crossing sites in Keene will not be closed to vehicles tonight. If you venture out to those sites, reflective vests, bright lights, and staying alert to traffic are absolute musts.

March 26, 2023

A significant chance of evening rain has just appeared in the forecast for Monday night. If it comes through as predicted, we could see our first amphibian movement of the year in places with thawed ground, at least as long as the temperature lingers above 40°. (It will likely still be too cold and/or snowy at our higher-elevation sites.) Lots could change between now and then, so stay tuned!

March 23, 2023

Much of the Monadnock Region is still blanketed by snow, but this week’s warm temperatures have melted what was left of the snowpack at some low-elevation sites, such as North Lincoln Street and Eastern Avenue in Keene. The big question is whether the ground at those sites has thawed deeply enough and for long enough to spur amphibians to action, should wet weather persist beyond sunset. (Although wood frogs can thaw in as few as four hours, it takes about a day for them to fully rouse.) If the ground at those sites has thawed sufficiently and rain continues after dark — both big “if”s — some cold-hardy wood frogs and spring peepers could make their move tonight. However, any migration will likely be short-lived, as showers are expected to wrap up shortly after 9 p.m.

If the ground has thawed and it’s wet after nightfall where you are and you’re eager to see the first frogs of the year, don your reflective vest, grab your flashlight, and head on out to see if amphibians are afoot! Before you go, be sure to check out what’s new with the Crossing Brigades in 2023, and review these helpful reminders for Big Nights. If you do go out, we’d love to hear what you find out there — even if it’s nothing. You can submit your counts and photos here.

If you’re still snowed in or hoping for more of a sure thing, sit tight. The best of the migration is yet to come…

March 21, 2023

Much of the Monadnock Region is still blanketed by snow, but this week’s warmer temperatures have melted what was left of the snowpack at some low-elevation sites, such as North Lincoln Street and Eastern Avenue in Keene. The big question is whether the ground at those sites has thawed enough to spur amphibians to action, should Thursday’s rain extend after dark. (Although wood frogs can thaw in as few as four hours, it takes about a day for them to fully rouse.) If the ground at those sites has thawed sufficiently — a big “if” — it’s possible we could see our first amphibian movement of the year in Keene and other low-elevation sites on Thursday, but it will likely be short-lived, as rain is currently expected to wrap up shortly after 9 p.m. that night. After that, a span of chillier temps will put any migration on hold until early next week or beyond. It’s early yet. Big Night is still to come!

March 14, 2023

Salamander season is right around the corner! Dig our your reflective vest, put fresh batteries in your headlamp, sign up for this year’s Salamander Crossing Brigade workshop on March 21 if you’d like a refresher or are new to the Brigades — and check back in late March for the start of our 2023 salamander forecasts…

Contact Us

To volunteer or for more information, please contact Brett Amy Thelen at (603) 525-3394 or by email.

When Will the Amphibians Migrate? Here's Our Best Guess.