Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania is settling into a long-duration Arctic cold pattern that will stretch from late January into early February, with subzero nights spreading across large portions of the state and limited signs of relief before Valentine’s Day. From the hills of the Alleghenies to the Delaware River corridor, the cold is expected to shape travel, utilities, and daily routines statewide.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, temperature outlooks through early and mid-February strongly favor below-normal conditions across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Multiple outlook periods indicate Arctic air repeatedly reinforcing itself, keeping Pennsylvania locked in a colder-than-average pattern through at least February 13.
In Harrisburg and the lower Susquehanna Valley, daytime highs may hover in the teens and 20s, while overnight lows drop into the single digits during the coldest stretches. Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania may stay slightly milder, but sharp winds along the Delaware River, I-95 corridor, and elevated bridges will drive wind chills down to dangerous levels. In western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Johnstown, and the Laurel Highlands face colder nights, with frequent single-digit temperatures and occasional drops below zero. The Poconos and northern tier counties, including Scranton and Bradford, are likely to experience the harshest conditions, with prolonged subzero readings stressing vehicles, homes, and power infrastructure.
The extended cold increases the risk of frostbite and hypothermia in a matter of minutes during windy periods. Residents are urged to limit time outdoors, dress in insulated layers, protect exposed pipes, and keep pets indoors. Drivers should carry winter emergency kits, especially when traveling I-80, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, or rural mountain roads.
While brief moderation is possible at times, longer-range signals suggest Pennsylvania’s Arctic cold may not ease in a meaningful way until after Valentine’s Day. Additional cold weather advisories remain possible as this deep winter pattern continues across the Commonwealth.
