Central Pennsylvania Braces for Freezing Temperatures and Early-Morning Snow as December Chill Deepens Through Friday
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA — A sharp December chill is spreading across central Pennsylvania this morning as gray clouds hang low over State College and temperatures hover near the freezing mark. A brief burst of early-morning snow may coat roads and sidewalks before skies gradually clear later in the day.
Light Flurries and Freezing Wind Chills Start the Day
According to the National Weather Service in State College, a 20% chance of light snow will linger through late morning. Northwest winds may gust up to 30 mph, pushing wind chills into the low 20s even as skies begin to brighten.
Drivers on Route 322, along with area backroads and rural neighborhoods, should be prepared for:
- Slick patches from early flurries
- Reduced visibility during gusty periods
- Lingering black ice in shaded locations
The coldest spots may see light accumulation on untreated surfaces before sunshine returns by afternoon.
More Clouds and Flurries Possible Friday as Cold Pattern Continues
Friday brings mostly cloudy skies, along with another chance for light flurries or patchy snow showers. Highs will struggle to reach 30°F, and lows will fall toward 19°F, keeping roads vulnerable to overnight refreezing.
Despite the cold, no significant accumulation is expected — though even minor snowfall could lead to slippery travel during both the morning and evening commute.
Weekend Warms Slightly With Sun and Calmer Winds
Central Pennsylvania will get a short break from the harsher cold this weekend. Saturday and Sunday feature calmer conditions and partly sunny skies, with highs climbing into the mid-to-upper 30s.
While not warm by any measure, the break in the wind and precipitation will offer more comfortable outdoor conditions before a new winter pattern begins to take shape.
Active Winter Pattern May Return December 11–17
Meteorologists warn that a more active stretch of winter weather may return next week between December 11 and 17. Early indications point to the potential for:
- Heavier snow across central Pennsylvania
- Renewed lake-effect bands
- Another wave of Arctic air
If trends continue, this could coincide with early holiday travel, raising the risk for hazardous conditions across the Great Lakes and Northeast.
Five-Day Outlook for State College, Pennsylvania
Thursday: Flurries early, high 33°F, low 9°F
Friday: Increasing clouds, high 29°F, low 19°F
Saturday: Partly sunny, high 37°F, low 25°F
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, high 36°F, low 15°F
Monday: Mostly sunny, high 26°F, bitter cold start
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