Honestly, if you’re looking at the weather for Wilkes Barre today, Thursday, January 15, 2026, you're probably staring at a sky that looks like a giant wet wool blanket. It is cloudy. Very cloudy. Right now, the thermometer is sitting at 25°F, which doesn't sound terrible until you factor in that biting west wind blowing at 13 mph.
That wind is the real kicker. It makes the air feel like 14°F.
People think living in the Wyoming Valley protects you from the worst of the Pennsylvania elements, but the Susquehanna River basin actually creates this weird microclimate. Cold air gets trapped between the mountains. It just sits there. You've probably noticed how the clouds seem to linger here longer than they do in, say, Allentown or even Scranton.
The Reality of January in the Valley
Today’s high is only hitting 30°F, and we’re looking at a 35% chance of snow during the daylight hours. It isn't going to be a blizzard. It’s more like that annoying, fine-grain snow that makes the North Cross Valley Expressway a nightmare during rush hour.
Tonight, it dips down to 17°F.
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The humidity is hovering around 50% right now but will climb to 55% later. That's actually quite high for a "frozen" day. It’s that damp, NEPA cold that gets into your bones and makes your knees ache. If you’re heading out to Public Square or walking over near King’s College, you’re going to want the heavy parka, not the light puffer.
Why the Forecast Usually Trips Us Up
Most people check their phone and see "cloudy" and think they’re safe. But in Wilkes-Barre, "cloudy" in January often means "periodic freezing drizzle" or "sudden snow squalls."
- The Susquehanna River is currently at a gauge height of about 8.18 feet.
- Flood stage doesn't start until 22 feet, so we are safe on that front.
- However, the moisture from the river can enhance local fog and low-level cloud cover.
- West winds at 13 mph today are pushing that moisture right against the eastern ridges.
Basically, if you’re driving near the river common, watch for black ice. The temperature is well below freezing, and with a 10% current chance of precipitation already happening, those bridges can get slick fast.
Looking at the Numbers
| Condition | Value |
|---|---|
| Current Temp | 25°F |
| Wind | West at 13 mph |
| Feels Like | 14°F |
| Daytime Snow Chance | 35% |
| Nighttime Low | 17°F |
The UV index is a big fat 0. You won't be seeing the sun today. Even by midday, the index only reaches 1. It’s the kind of day where the streetlights feel like they never really turned off.
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Kinda gloomy? Yeah. But that's a Wilkes-Barre winter for you.
Historically, January is our cloudiest month. Data shows we only get about 35% clear skies this time of year. Today is living up to that reputation perfectly. We are in the thick of the "cold season," which usually drags on until mid-March.
Survival Tips for Today
If you have to be outside, layer up. Seriously. The gap between the actual temperature and the "feels like" temperature is over ten degrees.
Water your outdoor plants if the ground isn't rock solid yet. I know that sounds crazy when it's 25°F, but the wind actually dehydrates perennials faster than the cold kills them.
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Keep an eye on the snow later this afternoon. Even a "coating to an inch" can turn the steep streets in the Heights into a bobsled run.
Don't let the "partly cloudy" forecast for tonight fool you into thinking it'll be warmer. Fewer clouds mean the heat escapes into the atmosphere faster. That's why we're hitting that 17°F low.
Check your tire pressure. This kind of 20-degree drop usually triggers that annoying "low air" light on the dashboard.
The most important thing to remember about weather for Wilkes Barre is that it's inconsistent. One minute it's a flurry, the next it's just gray.
Stay warm, grab a coffee from somewhere local, and maybe avoid the riverfront wind if you can help it.