Honestly, if you woke up in Pennsylvania today and thought it felt a bit "off," you aren't alone. It’s one of those classic January Sundays where the numbers on your phone screen don't quite tell the whole story of what’s actually happening outside your window.
Right now, the broad temperature in Pennsylvania today is hovering at a crisp 28°F.
But here is the thing. That number is basically a polite suggestion. Between the west winds kicking up at 7 mph and a humidity level of 54%, the "feels like" situation is actually down around 22°F. It’s that damp, biting cold that seeps into your coat seams before you even make it to the car. We’re looking at a daytime high that won't struggle much past 29°F, and by the time the sun stays down, we’re dipping to a low of 19°F.
What the Radar Isn't Telling You
You’ve probably seen the "10% chance of snow" on your current conditions and figured you were in the clear. Don't be so sure.
While the state-level average looks cloudy and quiet, there’s a coastal low sliding past that is making things very weird for different parts of the state. In Philadelphia, for instance, there’s a Winter Weather Advisory active until 8:00 PM tonight. They are looking at 2 to 4 inches of slushy, accumulating snow. It’s that heavy, heart-attack snow that’s a nightmare to shovel.
Meanwhile, if you’re out in Pittsburgh, the story is more about the wind. You’re dealing with single-digit wind chills that make the "official" temperature feel like a distant memory.
Breaking Down the Regional Split
- Southeast (Philly/Allentown): Slushy mess. Highs near 35°F earlier, but sliding down fast.
- Central (Harrisburg): A bit drier but colder, with a high of 29°F and a dusting of maybe 1 to 2 inches of flakes.
- The Mountains (Seven Springs/Hidden Valley): It’s a literal winter wonderland. Currently 18°F on the slopes with fresh powder, but arctic air is filtering in as we speak.
The Arctic Hammer is About to Drop
If you think today is cold, brace yourself for Tuesday.
Weather patterns in PA are notoriously fickle, but the data from the National Weather Service is pointing toward the coldest air of the entire season arriving in just about 48 hours. We are talking about morning lows between 5 and 15 degrees. With the wind, those chills are going to dive into the -15°F range.
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It makes today’s 28°F feel like a tropical vacation by comparison.
Most people get the "average" temperature wrong because they don't account for the "coastal squeeze." When a low-pressure system stays just off the Atlantic coast, it pulls cold air down from Canada while simultaneously pumping moisture in from the ocean. That’s why we’re seeing snow in the east and "dry" freezing cold in the west today.
Why 1994 Still Haunts PA Meteorologists
Whenever we talk about mid-January temperatures, locals of a certain age start bringing up January 19, 1994.
That was the day many PA cities hit their all-time record lows. Philadelphia dropped to -4°F, and Harrisburg shivered at -22°F. While we aren't hitting those catastrophic numbers today, the setup of this current arctic front is eerily similar to the "Polar Vortex" events that defined that decade.
Staying Safe in the "Squeeze"
- Check your tire pressure. A 10-degree drop in temperature can result in a loss of 1-2 pounds of pressure.
- Cover the skin. On Tuesday, frostbite can set in within 30 minutes if you’re exposed to those -15°F wind chills.
- Pet safety. If it's too cold for you, it's definitely too cold for the dog.
Basically, today is the "calm" before the real deep freeze. The temperature in Pennsylvania today is cold enough to keep the snow on the ground, but not so cold that the salt stops working on the roads. That changes tomorrow night.
Actionable Next Steps
Don't wait until Tuesday morning to find your heavy-duty gloves or check the antifreeze in your car.
Since the overnight low is hitting 19°F tonight, any slush on the roads from today’s "minor" snow will turn into a sheet of black ice by tomorrow morning’s commute. If you’re in the Southeast, clear your sidewalks before the sun goes down, or you'll be chipping away at ice blocks tomorrow.
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Keep an eye on the 511PA app for real-time road conditions, especially if you're traveling across the Alleghenies where lake-effect bands are expected to pick up.