Weather
Central Pennsylvania Freeze Watch: Temps May Plunge to 25 Sunday Oct 18
Harrisburg, PA – A potentially damaging freeze is threatening a large portion of central Pennsylvania this weekend, with temperatures forecast to fall as low as 25 degrees in some locations early Sund
By Avery Collins · 2026-10-16T17:15:11.009Z
Harrisburg, PA – A potentially damaging freeze is threatening a large portion of central Pennsylvania this weekend, with temperatures forecast to fall as low as 25 degrees in some locations early Sunday morning. Residents across dozens of communities, including Harrisburg, State College, Lancaster and Altoona, are being urged to prepare for freezing conditions that could kill sensitive vegetation and damage exposed outdoor plumbing.
According to the National Weather Service in State College, a Freeze Watch has been issued from late Saturday night, October 17, through Sunday morning, October 18, covering a broad section of central Pennsylvania.
The watch includes communities across the region, including Harrisburg, Hershey, Carlisle, York, Lancaster, Gettysburg, Chambersburg, Lebanon, Pottsville, State College, Altoona, Johnstown, Williamsport, Lock Haven and Clearfield.
Additional affected locations include Somerset, Bedford, Huntingdon, Lewistown, Selinsgrove, Sunbury, Bloomsburg, DuBois, Wellsboro, Warren and Coudersport.
Temperatures could drop as low as 25 degrees, which is well below the freezing point of 32 degrees and could cause significant damage to unprotected plants and agricultural crops.
The National Weather Service warns that frost and freeze conditions could kill tender vegetation, threaten remaining crops and potentially damage outdoor plumbing that has not been protected against freezing temperatures.
Residents should consider moving potted plants indoors, covering vulnerable gardens and taking precautions to protect exposed water pipes before temperatures begin dropping Saturday night.
The coldest conditions are expected during the overnight and early morning period, although actual temperatures will vary by location.
A Freeze Watch means freezing temperatures are possible but not guaranteed. The alert could be upgraded to a Freeze Warning if forecasters become more confident that damaging temperatures will occur.
Residents throughout central Pennsylvania should monitor updated forecasts Saturday as the freeze threat approaches.