Curious about Pennsylvania's 2024-25 winter weather? Read on

Will you need a bigger shovel? Or should you stock up on more salt? Or can you save that salt to line your margarite glass and bask in the extra sunshine?

We all want to know what the weather is going to do in the coming months. Many aim to prepare for winter, but it is hard to tell these days what that might entail.

The National Weather Service has issued its Climate Prediction Center’s “Three-Month Outlook,” which provides a forecast for the first three months of 2025. Thus far, January, February, and March show that Pennsylvania will likely see above average temperatures to kick off the new year. The Keystone state lies in a medium orange hue on the NOAA’s chart, noting it will likely have a 40 to 50 percent chance of higher temps than in previous years.

The state varies in terms of precipitation. Far northwest corners of Pennsylvania, near Erie County and its surrounding areas, may see up to a 40 to 50 percent chance of above average precipitation over the 90 days, while much of the state’s middle will see only 30 to 40 percent increase. However, those in and around Montgomery County and the collar counties of Philadelphia, are in a white, “Equal Chances” area, meaning the areas are no more or less likely to have increased precipitation.

    Image courtesy of the National Weather Service
  

While some enjoy the high-tech predictions of the National Weather Service, others stick to the tried and true, traditional Old Farmer’s Almanac when it comes to seasonal forecasts.

For the 2024-25 winter, the Almanac, which proves to be accurate 80 percent of the time, says winter is likely to be warmer with less snow.

“This winter, temperatures will be up and snowfall down throughout most of the United States,” reports Carol Connare, the Almanac’s editor-in-chief. “While there will still be plenty of chilly temperatures and snow for most slopes, the high heating costs associated with the season shouldn’t hit so hard. We’re predicting a temperate, uneventful winter—potentially a welcome reprieve from the extremes of recent years.”

Find out more about the weather services’ predictions here. To read more about the Almanac, click here.