Coal Township has a specific kind of rhythm. If you’ve lived here for any length of time, you know the deal: you can wake up to a crisp, clear morning and be shoveling a surprise three inches of "nuisance snow" by dinner. It’s the topography. Nestled in the Ridge-and-Valley province of the Appalachians, the weather for Coal Township PA is shaped by the very hills that give the area its name.
January 15, 2026, is a perfect example of this volatility. We are currently sitting in a transition zone. Earlier this morning, temperatures hovered around 36°F, but that warmth is a total lie. A cold front is slicing through Northumberland County right now, and by tonight, we’re looking at a low of 18°F. That’s a massive swing. It’s the kind of drop that turns slush into a sheet of glass on Route 61 before the salt trucks can even finish their first pass.
The Microclimate Reality
Basically, the terrain creates pockets. Because Coal Township is surrounded by ridges, cold air likes to settle in the lower elevations at night. This is why your thermometer might read five degrees lower than the "official" reading taken at an airport thirty miles away.
Honestly, the wind is the real story today. We’ve got gusts hitting 16 mph coming out of the west. When it’s 29°F outside—which is our projected high for today—that wind makes it feel like 17°F. If you’re heading out to Shamokin or over toward the hospital, don't just grab a light jacket. You need layers.
Humidity is also sitting at a whopping 92% right now. This high moisture content is what’s feeding the 20% chance of snow flurries we’re seeing in the forecast. It isn't a "storm" per se, but in this part of Pennsylvania, even a dusting can make the backroads treacherous.
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What to Expect This Week
The "January Thaw" we had a few days ago? Gone. It's finished.
We are moving into a much colder pattern as the Polar Vortex starts to wobble and send Arctic air south. Friday looks mostly sunny but bitter, with a high of only 29°F. Saturday brings a 30% chance of snow showers. It's not a lot, but it keeps the ground white and the air biting.
By Monday, the 19th, it’s going to get genuinely brutal. We are talking about overnight lows of 9°F. This isn't just "winter weather"; it’s the kind of cold that freezes pipes if you aren't careful.
- Thursday (Today): High 29°F, Low 18°F. Cloudy with periodic flurries.
- Friday: High 29°F, Low 25°F. Mostly sunny but deceptively cold.
- Saturday: High 34°F, Low 22°F. Chance of snow showers in the afternoon.
- Sunday: High 26°F, Low 12°F. Clear skies, but the wind chill will be a factor.
The Long-Term Northumberland Outlook
If you look at the historical data for 17866, January is always the toughest month. We average about 34°F for a high, which means we spend half the month in a freeze-thaw cycle. This is why our roads take such a beating. Water gets into the cracks, freezes, expands, and—boom—potholes.
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Typically, Coal Township sees about 23 to 28 inches of snow per year. We’re currently on track for a slightly drier winter than average, but the Farmer’s Almanac and several meteorological models suggest late February could make up for the early season lack of accumulation.
The wettest month for us is actually April. That’s when the "heavy" weather hits—not snow, but those soaking rains that make the Susquehanna rise. For now, the focus is strictly on the cold.
Survival Tips for the 17866 Winter
You’ve gotta be smart about the wind chill. Most people check the temperature and think they’re fine. They aren't.
When the wind hits 15+ mph in this valley, it strips heat away from your body instantly. If you’re working outside or even just walking the dog, cover your face. Frostbite can happen faster than you think when the mercury drops below 20°F.
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Also, keep an eye on your tire pressure. These sudden 20-degree drops cause the air in your tires to contract. If your "low pressure" light comes on this morning, it’s probably not a nail; it’s just the Coal Township cold doing its thing.
Check your furnace filters now. Since we are heading into a week where temperatures won't break freezing, your heating system is going to be running overtime. A clogged filter can cause a lockout right when you need the heat most.
Prepare your vehicle with a small bag of sand or kitty litter in the trunk. It sounds old-school, but if you get stuck on an icy patch on a side street, that extra traction is a lifesaver. Ensure your windshield wiper fluid is rated for -20°F. The "summer" stuff will freeze in the lines tonight and could crack the reservoir.
Moving forward, monitor the overnight lows for Tuesday. With a predicted low of 10°F, make sure any pets are indoors and that you've disconnected garden hoses from exterior spigots to prevent basement flooding from burst pipes.