The Thanksgiving week forecast for central Pennsylvania calls for heavy rain and a little snow
What has up to this point been an almost rain-free November (0.02 inch recorded in Harrisburg, 0.10 inch in York, 0.20 in Williamsport and 0.06 in Lancaster, all through Friday) will likely see a change in script during this holiday week, with A little snow and sleet are in the forecast for the first time this fall.
Sunday is expected to be sunny but cool, with wind gusts up to 20 mph and temperatures in the mid-50s. Expect more of the same on Monday, with a mix of sun and clouds and highs around 50, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
The storm that has begun to form in the southern Plains will tap into moisture from the Gulf as it moves eastward Monday, creating storm conditions Tuesday and Wednesday across much of the eastern half of the United States. Thunderstorms and possible tornadoes are expected in southern states, with snow and rain expected in northern Pennsylvania and across much of New York state on Tuesday.
It will turn into a blizzard on Thanksgiving Eve in New England, according to AccuWeather, with 3 to 6 inches of snow expected in the Adirondacks and Green Mountains, with 6 to 12 inches expected to fall from central New Hampshire across northern Western Maine. .
Travel should be largely unhindered across much of Pennsylvania, with little snow or sleet at the start of the storm Tuesday morning. Northwest of Harrisburg The forecast calls for rain, possibly mixed with snow, before changing by late afternoon. Snow accumulation of less than a half-inch is possible across an area including State College and Altoona.
In Harrisburg, just look for periods of rain Tuesday through Wednesday morning, with more than an inch of rain possible. In fact, much-needed rain is expected across the East, easing dry conditions slightly from York County through western Maryland and Virginia through northern Georgia.
The last report from York Water Company on November 17 indicated that conditions had worsened due to a month of severe drought, with Redman Lake needing 4 inches of rain over 12 days to return to normal. York County remains the only one in the state still under a drought warning.
Once that storm moves out of the area, conditions should slowly improve, with partly sunny conditions on Wednesday and sunny skies on Thursday and Friday. Temperatures will rise into the 40s on those two days and 50 degrees on Saturday as clouds and another round of rain approach the area. Shoppers heading out early Friday morning should find dry conditions with temperatures near freezing.
Here is the seven-day weather forecast for Harrisburg and the surrounding area, from the NWS:
today
Sunny, with a high near 56. Light west wind increasing to 6 to 11 mph in the morning. Wind speeds can reach 20 mph.
Tonight
The weather is mostly clear, and the minimum temperature is around 30. Winds are from the west, at a speed of about 6 mph, becoming light and choppy after midnight.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high temperature near 47. North winds 3 to 6 mph.
Monday night
Mostly cloudy, with east winds 5 to 7 mph.
Tuesday
There is a slight chance of rain and snow before 10 a.m., then rain. High temperature near 45. East wind 8 to 16 mph, with gusts up to 21 mph. The probability of rain is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Tuesday night
rain. Low is around 44. Chance of rain is 100%. New rainfall amounts range from three-quarters to one inch.
Wednesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 53.
Wednesday night
Partly cloudy, with a low reaching 33 degrees.
Thanksgiving
Mostly sunny, with high temperatures approaching 48.
Thursday night
Partly cloudy, with a low reaching 31 degrees.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with high temperatures approaching 48.
Friday night
Partly cloudy, and the minimum temperature will be around 34.
Saturday
Partly cloudy, with a maximum temperature nearing 50.
