As the new year approaches, the weather forecast for Northeast Pennsylvania suggests that while there will be snowfall, the feel of winter may be tempered by relatively mild temperatures. Meteorologists predict that from January through March, temperatures are expected to hover slightly above the seasonal average, accompanied by normal levels of precipitation but with increased snowfall compared to the previous year.
Brian Tentinger, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Binghamton, New York, outlines that areas such as Lackawanna and Luzerne counties should prepare for a milder winter overall, with the coldest stretches anticipated in late January through mid-February. The normal daytime high in January typically resides in the mid-30s, dropping into the 20s at night. As February and March roll in, average temperatures are projected to climb into the upper 30s and low 40s during the day, with nighttime lows in the low 30s.
Precipitation during this period is expected to total between 6 to 7 inches, while snowfall may range between 30 and 32 inches according to Tentinger. Last December, temperatures were notably 5 to 8 degrees below normal, and snowfall exceeded averages. AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham anticipates a shift beginning in January towards more moderate temperatures trending towards average or slightly above average for the month, alongside the likelihood of increased precipitation.
A possible shift in the polar vortex may influence the weather as well, with Buckingham indicating that if colder air does move over the central or eastern United States, a drop in temperatures may occur during February, possibly resulting in above-average precipitation.
John Banghoff from the National Weather Service’s State College office, which oversees Schuylkill County, forecasts around 15 to 20 inches of snow from January 1 through February’s end, alongside temperatures expected to remain above normal with averages in the vicinity of 40 degrees during the day and 25 degrees at night for early 2026.
Reflecting on last year’s weather, both meteorologists noted that the winter season was relatively quiet, with only 8 inches of snow seen in early 2024 and rainfall amounts ranging from 6 to 7 inches later in the winter. The snowfall during December of this year has already approached last season’s totals with 13.7 inches reported thus far.
While temperatures last winter were mostly average, there were moments where they dipped below zero in January. However, Tentinger and Banghoff are optimistic that upcoming months will deliver a more favorable winter experience with milder temperatures and a generous amount of snowfall, evoking hope for a vibrant winter season in the region.