Honestly, if you've lived in the Susquehanna Valley for more than a week, you know the drill. You wake up to a "dusting" that turns into four inches of slush by noon, or better yet, a bone-chilling wind that makes 19 degrees feel like a personal insult. Right now, the weather forecast for lancaster pa is leaning hard into that classic Pennsylvania winter unpredictability.
It's cold. Really cold.
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The current mercury is sitting at a crisp 19°F, but with those 15 mph gusts coming out of the west, the "feels like" temperature is dragging down to a brutal 5°F. If you’re heading out to Central Market or just grabbing coffee in Lititz, that wind is going to bite. We aren't seeing any snow falling at this exact moment—the sky is clear for the overnight—but don't let that fool you.
The rest of the week is basically a rollercoaster.
Friday, January 16, is looking mostly cloudy with a high of 33°F. It's the kind of day where the air feels heavy, and sure enough, there’s a 20% chance of light snow hitting us tonight. It won't be a blizzard, but it’s enough to make the backroads near Strasburg a little slick.
Why Saturday Changes Everything
If you had outdoor plans for Saturday, January 17, you might want to rethink them. Or at least pack every layer you own.
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We’re looking at a messy mix of rain and snow. The high hits 40°F—which sounds warm compared to today—but that just means the precipitation is going to be that heavy, wet junk that’s miserable to shovel.
The wind is shifting to come from the south at 10 mph. Usually, a south wind brings a reprieve, but here it’s just fueling a 35% chance of that sloppy mix during the day. By the time Sunday rolls around, we’re back to the 30s.
It’s just typical Lancaster.
The Deep Freeze is Coming
Monday, January 19, starts off deceptive. It'll be sunny with a high of 33°F, which sounds like a decent winter day. But check the overnight low: 8°F.
That is not a typo.
Tuesday is where things get genuinely intense. Even with the sun blasting, we are looking at a high of only 19°F. When the high for the day is the same as our current midnight temperature, you know the Arctic air has officially arrived.
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Survival Tips for the Week Ahead
The weather forecast for lancaster pa isn't just about numbers on a screen; it’s about how you’re going to navigate Route 30 without losing your mind.
- Check your tire pressure now. These 20-degree temperature swings are notorious for triggering that annoying "low pressure" light on your dashboard.
- Watch the black ice on Sunday morning. After Saturday's rain/snow mix, the temperature drops back to 21°F overnight. Everything that melted is going to turn into a skating rink by 6:00 AM.
- Humidify your house. The humidity is dropping to 36% by Tuesday. Your skin and your wooden furniture will thank you if you get some moisture back into the air.
Next Wednesday and Thursday bring more "typical" January vibes—mostly cloudy, some snow showers, and highs hovering right around the freezing mark of 33°F to 35°F.
Basically, keep the heavy coat by the door and maybe some salt in the trunk. This week is a test of endurance.