HARRISBURG, Pa. – A pair of cold fronts will bring rounds of showers followed by a sharp fall chill through early next week, with temperatures expected to plunge into the 20s by Monday morning across much of central Pennsylvania. The National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center said the first front will pass Wednesday night with light rainfall, while a stronger front arrives late Friday into Saturday.
According to the NWS, up to 0.50 inches of rain could fall across the upper Susquehanna and Delaware basins, leading to small rises of 1 to 2 feet on area rivers into the weekend. The heaviest rainfall is expected north of Harrisburg, along the I-80 and I-81 corridors, where the ground remains saturated from recent storms.
Behind Friday’s front, Arctic air will surge into the region, sending daytime highs tumbling into the 40s by Sunday and overnight lows into the upper 20s by early Monday. The coldest air since last spring is likely, with patchy frost and freeze conditions threatening sensitive plants and outdoor plumbing.
PennDOT advises motorists to watch for slick spots on elevated bridges and wet leaves, particularly early Saturday and Sunday mornings. Residents should secure outdoor decorations, cover garden plants, and make sure pets have warm shelter as temperatures drop quickly.
