Strong, potentially dangerous wind gusts of up to 55 mph will hit central Pennsylvania through tonight as a sharp cold front moves southeast through the region. Rain showers will form near Lake Erie and extend southeastward this evening, with the worst winds predicted later tonight.
The National Weather Service in State College has issued a Wind Advisory for all of central Pennsylvania until 7 a.m. on Thursday.
Wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph are forecast, with isolated gusts up to 60 mph, especially in the Laurel Highlands and south-central Alleghenies. These winds might knock down tree branches and cause power outages.
Rain showers will form and spread southeastward throughout the evening, with precipitation decreasing as it descends downhill from higher terrain.
Some snow may mix with rain in the western and northern Alleghenies by early Thursday morning, but no accumulation is forecast.
Temperatures will drop significantly on Thursday, with highs 10 to 15 degrees lower than Wednesday’s hot readings in the 60s. Friday will see a brief warmth before another round of rain showers comes Friday afternoon and night, accompanied by gusty winds.
Saturday’s weather improves as rain eases, bringing partly to mostly cloudy skies and above-average temperatures in the 50s to mid-60s. However, a substantial pattern shift occurs Sunday, bringing another round of gusty rain showers before transitioning to the coldest air of the season.
Starting early next week and lasting until Veterans Day, temperatures will be 10 to 20 degrees below average, with wind chills in the teens and 20s.
This cold air mass will provide excellent circumstances for the season’s first widespread lake effect and orographically enhanced snow accumulation, especially downwind of Lake Erie and over the Laurel Highlands.
The cold wave will not continue long, with temperatures predicted to rebound to near-seasonal levels by the middle of next week.
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