Winter in Central PA is usually a game of chicken between the warm Gulf air and the Canadian chill. Well, if you’ve been looking at the 15 day forecast Lancaster PA results lately, it looks like the Canadian side just won.
Honestly, the mild start we had this January was a bit of a tease. We saw temperatures hitting the low 50s just yesterday, Wednesday, January 14. But don't get used to it. As I write this, an arctic front is currently barreling through the Susquehanna Valley, and it's bringing some serious baggage with it.
The Immediate Shake-up (January 15 - January 19)
The most jarring part of the current forecast is the "temperature cliff" we’re about to walk off. Thursday is going to be a wake-up call. We are dropping from a high of 48°F down to a high of only 31°F in a single day.
Wind gusts are expected to hit up to 30 or 45 mph. You’ve probably felt that biting Lancaster wind before—the kind that cuts right through a wool coat when you're walking across a parking lot in Lititz or downtown near Central Market.
- Thursday, Jan 15: High of 31°F, low of 19°F. Windy and much colder.
- Friday, Jan 16: High of 33°F, low of 19°F. Light snow is possible (about a 20% chance).
- Saturday, Jan 17: This is the one to watch. We’re looking at a mix of rain and snow with a high of 37°F.
- Sunday, Jan 18: Back to the deep freeze. High of 28°F, low of 19°F.
Monday, January 19, marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and if you have outdoor plans, bundle up. The low is projected to hit a bone-chilling 13°F. That’s the kind of cold that makes your car engine groan when you turn the key.
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Next Week: The Polar Surge (January 20 - January 24)
By the time we hit Tuesday, January 20, the arctic air really settles in. We’re looking at a high of only 21°F. To put that in perspective, the average high for Lancaster this time of year is usually around 39°F. We are well below the "normal" mark here.
What’s interesting about this 15 day forecast Lancaster PA is the lack of a major "blockbuster" snowstorm. Instead, we’re seeing "disturbances." This basically means we get these little dustings or "clippers" every few days that keep the ground white without necessarily closing the schools for a week.
According to data from the National Weather Service, January 8-9 already saw record-breaking rainfall for the month. Since the ground is already saturated, any quick freeze followed by light snow can make the backroads—especially those winding ones out toward Strasburg—pretty treacherous.
Around Saturday, January 24, the models are hinting at a more organized snow event. We’re seeing a 40% chance of snow showers overnight with a low of 25°F.
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The Long View: January 25 and Beyond
If you're hoping for a February thaw, you might have to wait. The extended outlook into the final days of January shows temperatures stubbornly staying in the low 30s.
"Winter is about to make a return with cold air... the stars are not aligning just yet to produce any organized winter storms, but we will have little disturbances," says meteorologist Justin Berk regarding the current Mid-Atlantic pattern.
This is very typical for our region. We often get these "dry cold" spells where the air is so arctic it can't hold much moisture. It’s great for the ski resorts like Roundtop or Bear Creek, but it’s tough on the heating bill.
What This Means for You
If you live in 17601, 17602, or any of the surrounding boroughs, it’s time to stop procrastinating on the winter prep.
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- Check your tires. Cold air causes tire pressure to drop (the old PV=nRT gas law in action). If your "low pressure" light hasn't come on yet, it probably will by Friday morning.
- Salt the walkways now. Saturday’s rain/snow mix is a prime recipe for "black ice." That's the stuff that looks like a wet puddle but sends you sliding into the bushes.
- Animal safety. Those 13°F lows on Monday night are dangerous for pets. If you have outdoor cats or dogs, they need to be inside or in a heavily insulated space.
- Heating oil check. If you rely on oil or propane, don't wait until the tank is at 10% to call for a refill. Delivery trucks can get backed up when everyone realizes at once that it's 15 degrees outside.
Looking at the 15 day forecast Lancaster PA, we are moving into the heart of winter climatology. Historically, the last two weeks of January are the coldest of the year for Lancaster County. We're right on schedule.
Stay warm out there. Whether you're heading to the Pennsylvania Farm Show or just trying to get through the work week, this stretch is going to be a test of endurance.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Download a reliable local weather app like WGAL 8 or ABC27 for real-time radar, as these clippers can move faster than national models predict.
- Keep an emergency kit in your car including a blanket, a small shovel, and some hand warmers, especially if you commute on Route 30 or 283.
- Monitor your home’s humidity levels; the arctic air arriving next week will be extremely dry, which can lead to itchy skin and static shocks.