PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania – A major pattern shift is on the way for Pennsylvania as fall’s mild streak gives way to colder air and the threat of early snow between November 9 and 15. Much of the state could experience its first true taste of winter, with rain turning to snow in some regions and a surge of Arctic air pushing in from the northwest.
According to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center, temperatures across Pennsylvania are projected to dip near to slightly below normal through mid-month, while precipitation trends near or above normal, especially in western and northern areas. That combination raises the odds for lake-effect snow near Erie and flurries or mixed precipitation farther south and east.
The National Weather Service offices in Pittsburgh, State College, and Binghamton warn that a cold front early next week will trigger widespread rain followed by much colder air. By midweek, highs will hover in the 40s and lows may dip into the upper 20s — cold enough for snow showers in the Alleghenies, Laurel Highlands, and along I-80.
Drivers on I-79, I-80, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike should anticipate gusty winds, reduced visibility, and slick spots during heavier bursts. PennDOT crews are already preparing for possible early-season road treatment if temperatures drop faster than expected.
Homeowners are urged to insulate pipes, check furnaces, and clean gutters before the deeper cold sets in. With Thanksgiving travel less than three weeks away, early preparation could prevent home and travel headaches once winter weather tightens its grip on the Keystone State.
