Weather
Scranton, PA Weather Oct. 16-18: Storms, 27°F Low
BINGHAMTON, NY – Scattered severe thunderstorms could bring damaging winds and isolated tornadoes to northeastern Pennsylvania and portions of central New York on Friday, Oct. 16, before a strong cold
By Mason Reid · 2026-10-15T20:25:24.159Z
BINGHAMTON, NY – Scattered severe thunderstorms could bring damaging winds and isolated tornadoes to northeastern Pennsylvania and portions of central New York on Friday, Oct. 16, before a strong cold front sends temperatures below freezing across the region by Sunday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Binghamton, strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop mainly between noon and 6 p.m. Friday as a squall line forms along the approaching cold front.
The greatest severe weather threat covers northeastern Pennsylvania, including Scranton, Wilkes Barre and Towanda, where the Storm Prediction Center has outlined a Level 2 of 5 Slight Risk.
Areas farther north, including Binghamton, Elmira, Norwich and Oneonta, are generally under a Level 1 of 5 Marginal Risk. Damaging winds are the primary concern, although hail and isolated tornadoes are also possible.
Conditions are expected to turn colder and windy Saturday, with northwest winds of 10 to 20 mph and gusts reaching 25 to 30 mph.
By 8 a.m. Saturday, wind chills could fall to 24 degrees in Binghamton, Cortland and Norwich, 28 in Elmira and 32 in Scranton.
The weather service expects a hard freeze Saturday night into Sunday morning, with clear skies and lighter winds allowing temperatures to drop further.
Sunday morning lows are forecast near 27 degrees in Binghamton, Norwich and Hamilton, 28 in Scranton and Montrose, 29 in Hazleton and 32 in Wilkes Barre.
The weather service expects subfreezing temperatures across its forecast area, with the active growing season continuing only in the Wyoming Valley.
Residents with sensitive outdoor plants should prepare for freezing temperatures, while those in areas threatened by Friday's storms should monitor weather alerts and have a way to receive warnings.
The immediate concern is Friday afternoon's severe thunderstorm potential, followed by Saturday's gusty winds and widespread freezing temperatures early Sunday.