Low clouds clung to the ridges around State College late this morning while damp pavement and scattered showers created a gray, cool start across central Pennsylvania. Drivers along I-99 and Route 322 encountered reduced visibility at times as pockets of fog drifted through the valleys near Boalsburg and Bellefonte.
According to the National Weather Service, showers and isolated thunderstorms become more widespread later today and continue into tonight with precipitation chances climbing to 80 percent. Temperatures stay unusually cool for late May, reaching only the lower 60s this afternoon before milder air slowly works northward.
The wet pattern remains active into Memorial Day morning. Brief showers and patchy fog could slow holiday travel early, especially near higher elevations surrounding Centre County. Conditions gradually improve during the afternoon, though skies likely stay mostly cloudy for much of the day.
A stronger push of warmer air arrives Tuesday as temperatures jump into the lower 80s around State College. Humidity also increases through midweek, creating a more summer-like feel across central Pennsylvania after several cool and damp days.
While widespread severe weather is not expected, a few thunderstorms later this week could produce gusty winds and brief heavy downpours. Saturated ground from repeated rainfall may also lead to ponding on secondary roads and low-lying areas.
Gardeners may welcome the steady moisture, but allergy sufferers should prepare for rising pollen counts once warmer and drier air settles in Tuesday and Wednesday. For now, umbrellas and extra travel time remain the safest plan around Happy Valley.
Long-range outlooks continue pointing toward above-normal temperatures heading into early June across much of Pennsylvania.
Five Day Forecast for State College, Pennsylvania
Friday: Sunny, high near 73.
Memorial Day: Chance of showers early, then mostly cloudy, high near 77.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy and warmer, high near 81.
Wednesday: Chance of afternoon showers, high near 82.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, high near 78.
