Weather
Scranton, PA Freeze Warning Tonight: Lows Could Reach 29° Oct 17-18
Scranton, PA – A significant overnight freeze is expected across northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New York Saturday night, October 17, with temperatures forecast to plunge into the middle and up
By Elliot Vaughn · 2026-10-17T09:18:47.866Z
Scranton, PA – A significant overnight freeze is expected across northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New York Saturday night, October 17, with temperatures forecast to plunge into the middle and upper 20s. A Freeze Warning has been issued for portions of Pennsylvania's Wyoming Valley, including the Scranton and Wilkes Barre area, as potentially damaging cold threatens sensitive vegetation.
According to the National Weather Service in Binghamton, temperatures will fall below freezing across much of the region overnight Saturday into Sunday, October 18. The warning specifically covers portions of the Wyoming Valley where the growing season remains active.
Forecast lows include approximately 29 degrees in Scranton, 26 degrees in Montrose and 26 degrees in Towanda. Nearby Binghamton, New York, could fall to 28 degrees, while Elmira may reach 25 degrees.
Freeze Warning Covers Parts of Northeastern Pennsylvania
The Weather Service's advisory map highlights portions of the Scranton Wilkes Barre region, including areas of Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.
Residents should protect vulnerable plants, gardens and outdoor vegetation before temperatures fall Saturday evening.
Freezing conditions can damage or kill sensitive crops, particularly where the growing season has not officially ended.
Across southern New York, widespread subfreezing temperatures are also expected, although the active warning boundaries differ by location.
Forecast lows include 27 degrees in Ithaca, 25 degrees in Norwich and 24 degrees in Cooperstown.
Sunday Morning Brings Widespread Cold
The coldest conditions are expected overnight into early Sunday morning, especially in sheltered valleys and rural locations.
Residents traveling early Sunday should prepare for freezing temperatures, while gardeners should inspect vulnerable vegetation after sunrise.
October 22–26 Extended Weather Outlook
NOAA's Climate Prediction Center favors above normal temperatures across much of Pennsylvania and New York during October 22–26, indicating the region could experience a warmer pattern following the weekend freeze.
The precipitation outlook also favors below normal rainfall across much of the Northeast, suggesting a potentially drier stretch heading into late October.
These outlooks describe overall probabilities rather than exact daily conditions.
For now, the immediate concern remains Saturday night's widespread freezing temperatures, particularly across the Wyoming Valley and surrounding communities.