Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – A sustained stretch of colder-than-normal weather is expected to settle across Pennsylvania from Friday through early the following week, bringing persistent freezing temperatures and limited chances for widespread rain or snow across much of the state.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, the 8–14 day outlook for Jan. 30 through Feb. 5 places Pennsylvania firmly within a high-confidence zone for below-normal temperatures. Probabilities for colder-than-average conditions range from 80 to 100 percent across much of the state, from the Philadelphia metro and Lehigh Valley west through Harrisburg, Altoona, Pittsburgh, and the northern tier.
Daytime highs are expected to remain several degrees below seasonal averages, while overnight lows frequently fall well below freezing. The cold air mass stretches along the East Coast from New England through the Mid-Atlantic and coastal Carolinas and extends south into Florida, while also pushing west into Ohio, Mississippi, and parts of the central Plains. Much of the eastern half of the country is expected to remain colder than normal during this period.
Despite the colder air, precipitation across Pennsylvania is expected to trend below normal. The outlook favors drier-than-average conditions from Maine through the Mid-Atlantic and into the Midwest, limiting the potential for frequent or significant snow events. While brief light snow, flurries, or isolated lake-effect activity may occur, the overall pattern does not support repeated storm systems or widespread accumulation.
Above-normal precipitation chances are largely confined to areas such as Texas, Florida, and the Pacific Northwest, while near-normal precipitation is more likely across parts of the southern Plains and Southwest.
Residents across Pennsylvania should prepare for an extended period of winter cold, monitor for icy travel conditions during overnight and early morning hours, and take precautions to protect pipes, pets, and vulnerable populations. Additional outlook updates may follow as the period approaches and confidence in localized impacts increases.
