Pittsburgh, Pa. – A late-May cold snap will bring unseasonably chilly mornings across the Mid-Atlantic, with temperatures running 10 to 15 degrees below normal through Sunday, affecting millions from Ohio to New York.
According to the National Weather Service, a broad trough dipping into the eastern U.S. will keep morning lows in the 30s and 40s across much of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and upstate New York from May 22 to May 26. Cities like Cleveland, Buffalo, and Scranton may see early morning temps typically reserved for March, not Memorial Day weekend.
In Pennsylvania, frost is possible in higher elevations of the Laurel Highlands and Pocono Mountains, while parts of central and southern Ohio could see lows in the upper 30s. Residents are urged to protect sensitive plants, limit early morning outdoor exposure, and check on vulnerable populations.
This pattern follows a warmer-than-average spring and could impact early planting across rural areas. Utility demand for heating may also briefly spike, particularly in overnight hours. In western New York, this could be the region’s coldest final week of May since 2002.
Temperatures are expected to gradually rebound early next week, but cooler-than-normal conditions may linger into Memorial Day. Additional advisories could be issued if frost risks increase.
