Honestly, if you live in New Kensington, you already know the deal. One minute you're looking at a gray but manageable sky, and the next, you’re digging through the trunk for that ice scraper you swore you'd bring inside. Right now, things are feeling pretty biting. The current temperature is sitting right at 24°F, but don’t let that number fool you. With the wind kicking up from the southwest at 10 mph, the "feels like" temperature is actually a much nastier 14°F.
It's that classic Western PA chill that gets right into your bones.
What to Expect from Weather for New Kensington This Week
If you were hoping for a break, Saturday might give you a tiny bit of "warmth," if you can even call it that. We’re looking at a high of 38°F tomorrow, which sounds great until you see the 40% chance of snow showers during the day. It’s going to be one of those damp, slushy days where the humidity hits 80%. Basically, it’s prime car-washing-regret weather.
By Sunday, the bottom drops out again. The high struggles to reach 22°F, and the low dips back to 17°F. If you’re planning on hitting the 56 or heading over the bridge toward Tarentum, keep an eye on those Sunday night clouds.
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The Deep Freeze Is Coming
Looking further out, Monday and Tuesday are shaping up to be the real tests for your furnace. We are talking about overnight lows of 5°F. That is not a typo. When it gets that cold, the humidity drops to around 50%, making the air feel crisp and brittle.
Here is a quick snapshot of the next few days:
- Friday Night: Snow showers likely, 40% chance, low of 17°F.
- Saturday: Slushy snow showers, high of 38°F, wind from the southwest at 11 mph.
- Monday: Partly sunny but freezing, high of 22°F and a low of 5°F.
- Wednesday: A slight "rebound" to 36°F, but with more snow showers arriving at night.
The Reality of January in the Valley
January is historically the cloudiest month for us. Statistics from local climate trackers like WeatherSpark show that New Kensington stays overcast about 69% of the time this month. We’re in that 6.1-month stretch of "gray" that started back in November and won't really let up until May.
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It’s also the windiest time of year. While today’s 10 mph breeze feels manageable, we often see those west winds jump up to 16 mph or more, especially as we move into next week.
Why This Forecast Matters for You
Most people get the New Kensington winter wrong by assuming it’s all about the big storms. It's usually not. It’s the "nuisance snow"—those little 1-inch coatings that happen when the temperature hovers near freezing. Because our humidity stays relatively high (55% to 80% this week), the roads tend to get slick fast, even without a major blizzard.
Practical Tips for the Next 48 Hours
You’ve probably got your routine down, but with 5°F on the horizon, a few things are worth a double-check.
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First, check your tire pressure. These sudden drops from 32°F down to the single digits will trigger that annoying dashboard light. Second, if you have outdoor pets, tonight is the night to make sure they have a seriously warm spot or just bring them in. With a 14°F wind chill, it’s dangerous for them out there.
Finally, watch the southwest winds on Saturday. They’ll be bringing in that moisture that turns our cloudy sky into snow showers. If you're heading out, the best window for clear roads looks like Sunday afternoon when we get a rare "partly sunny" break, even if it is a bit frigid.
Stay warm out there. The Valley doesn't mess around once the Polar Vortex starts peeking south.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your antifreeze levels today before the 5°F low hits on Monday night.
- Salt your walkways Friday evening before the 40% snow chance kicks in overnight to prevent ice bonding to the pavement.
- Plan your travel for Sunday morning if you need clear visibility, as it's the only day with a significant "partly sunny" forecast in the near future.