A mid-January warm-up could bring rain to much of Pennsylvania while raising the potential of freezing rain and hazardous travel conditions in colder locations as temperatures hover near freezing.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, Pennsylvania is expected to see above-average temperatures from January 9 to 13, with precipitation remaining near normal. This arrangement frequently encourages rain in the south and east while enabling mixed precipitation in the north and west, where cooler air tends to stay.
Northern and western Pennsylvania, including Bradford, Warren, and sections of the Laurel Highlands, may have the highest chance of freezing rain, especially tonight and early in the morning. Even minor ice accumulations might endanger traffic on Interstate 80, Route 219, and higher-elevation side roads.
Precipitation is more likely to occur as rain throughout central and southeastern Pennsylvania, including Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, and the Lehigh Valley, reducing the likelihood of snowfall but resulting in wet roads and impaired visibility during heavier storms. Brief evening cooling may still allow isolated slick areas to form.
Drivers are reminded to remain attentive to rapidly changing conditions and allow for extra travel time during this period. Additional advisories may be issued if the pattern becomes clearer closer to mid-January, particularly if colder air moves southward into the state.
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