So, if you’re standing outside near the Capitol building today, you probably noticed it. That bite in the air? It’s real. Honestly, Harrisburg Pennsylvania weather forecast news usually falls into a predictable rhythm, but this January is playing by its own set of rules. We are currently sitting in the middle of a classic Susquehanna Valley winter stretch where the "feels like" temperature is doing most of the talking.
Right now, the mercury is hovering at exactly 30°F. But here’s the kicker—the wind is coming out of the northwest at 8 mph, which drags that perceived temperature down to a much grittier 23°F. It’s the kind of cold that doesn't just sit on your skin; it looks for gaps in your scarf. If you’re heading out to City Island or just walking to your car in Midtown, you’ve definitely felt that northwest breeze.
The Immediate Outlook: Snow Shifting to Ice?
People always ask if it’s going to "actually snow" or just tease us. Today, Sunday, January 18, we’ve got a 20% chance of snow, with a high of 32°F and a low of 19°F. It’s cloudy, gray, and very "Pennsylvania."
Basically, it’s a standard January day where the clouds look heavy enough to drop a foot of powder, but we’re mostly just seeing a few flakes. Tomorrow, Monday, things dry out a bit. We’re looking at 33°F for the high, which is almost balmy compared to what's coming later in the week. But keep an eye on that low—it’s dropping to 13°F Monday night. If there’s any slush left on the roads, it’s going to turn into a skating rink by Tuesday morning.
Honestly, the real story is Tuesday. We’re talking a high of only 22°F. That is a full ten degrees colder than our average high for this time of year, which usually sits around 38°F according to historical data from the National Weather Service.
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Why the Susquehanna River Matters Right Now
You can't talk about the Harrisburg Pennsylvania weather forecast without mentioning the river. The Susquehanna is the heartbeat of this city’s climate. Currently, the gauge height at the Harrisburg station (USGS 01570500) is sitting around 5.29 feet.
For context, "Action Stage" doesn't even start until the river hits 11 feet. So, we are nowhere near flood territory. That’s good news, especially since we’ve seen some light freezing rain and snow mix (about 0.13 inches recorded recently). The river is behaving, which is a relief for anyone living down in Shipoke or near the Walnut Street Bridge.
What’s Coming Later This Week?
It’s a bit of a rollercoaster. Check out this progression:
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, high of 35°F.
- Thursday: A slight warmup to 38°F (the January average!).
- Next Weekend: This is where it gets interesting. Sunday, January 25, is showing a 45% chance of snow at night with a high of only 19°F.
If that system holds its path, we could be looking at the first significant accumulation of the season. Monday, January 26, is currently pegged at a 75% chance of snow. If you’ve lived here long enough, you know that a "75%" on a Monday morning usually means a messy commute on I-81 and I-83.
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Expert Tips for Handling Harrisburg Winters
Local experts and long-time residents know the drill, but it’s easy to forget the basics when the temperature swings.
Layering is a Science
Don't just throw on one giant parka. The humidity in Harrisburg is currently 66%, which makes the air feel "heavy." Use a base layer that wicks moisture. Sweat is your enemy when it's 23 degrees out.
The "Black Ice" Warning
With lows hitting 10°F to 12°F later next week, any daytime melting is a trap. The 511PA system has already been flashing speed restrictions on I-76 and I-81 for commercial vehicles. If they’re slowing down, you should too.
Check Your Pipes
We’re heading into a stretch of nights where temperatures will stay well below freezing for 12+ hours at a time. If you’re in one of the older brick row homes in Uptown or Allison Hill, keep those faucets at a drip.
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The Long View: Is This Normal?
Kinda. Harrisburg’s climate is technically "humid subtropical" (Cfa) or "humid continental" depending on which map you look at. But let's be real—it’s just unpredictable. Climate Central data shows that our winters are actually getting warmer on average, with about 12 fewer freezing nights than we had in the 1970s.
Even so, these "polar plunges" still happen. The record low for January in Harrisburg is a bone-chilling -22°F (set back in 1994). We aren't hitting that, but the 10°F projected for next Tuesday night is enough to make anyone miss July.
Actionable Next Steps
- Winterize the Car: Check your tire pressure tonight. Cold air makes the pressure drop, and the last thing you want is a "low tire" light when it's 13 degrees tomorrow morning.
- Salt the Walkways: Do it before the Monday night freeze. Once the water turns to ice at 13°F, standard rock salt loses some of its melting power. Look for calcium chloride if it gets really cold.
- Monitor the Sunday/Monday System: If you have travel plans for January 25 or 26, start looking at backup options. That 75% snow chance is the highest we've seen in the ten-day outlook.
Stay warm out there. Harrisburg winters are a marathon, not a sprint. Keep an eye on the sky and maybe grab an extra gallon of milk—just in case.