Latest Area Forecast Discussion for Central PA

Here is the latest Area Forecast Discussion for Central PA

This text statement is the latest forecast reasoning from the NWS in State College, PA

See the links at the bottom of the page for previous issuances/versions of the statement as well as our other text statements.

919
FXUS61 KCTP 280724
AFDCTP

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service State College PA
224 AM EST Sat Feb 28 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
* Snowfall amounts continue to trend downward for Saturday night
into Sunday morning.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Mild end to February/meteorological winter 2025-2026.

2) Light rain and snow Saturday night/Sunday morning.

3) Wintry mix likely Tuesday followed by periods of rain with
temperatures trending above average for early March.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1: Mild end to February/meteorological winter 2025-2026

Another mild day is in store to close out the month, with high
temperatures this afternoon expected to range from the mid 40s
across the northern tier to around 60 along the Maryland border.
A few rain showers are possible this morning across northern PA
ahead of a moisture-starved cold front, though the bulk of the
precipitation should remain to our north. Otherwise, expect a
mainly dry day.

KEY MESSAGE 2: Light rain and snow Saturday night/Sunday
morning.

A wave of low pressure is expected to develop tonight along a
stalled frontal boundary to our south and will bring light
precipitation to Central PA into Sunday morning. Accumulating
snow will largely be confined to areas north of I-80, though
snowfall amounts continue to trend downward (generally a coating
to 2 inches). Model soundings suggest that areas farther to the
south may struggle to see saturation reach into the dendritic
growth zone, potentially leading to light rain or freezing
drizzle being the predominant weather types. A light glaze of
ice appears possible for areas south of I-80 and north of the
turnpike.

KEY MESSAGE 3: Wintry mix likely Tuesday followed by periods of
rain with temperatures trending above average for early March

March comes in more like a lion vs. lamb, but just a short
wintry roar before springlike conditions take over.

Modified arctic high migrating southeast from the Great Lakes
now provides a chilly and dry day on Monday. This setup favors
CAD/overrunning wintry mix scenario for Tuesday as moisture
spreads north/east into retreating cold sector. Despite its
magnitude 1040mb, the high appears somewhat transient which
suggests a progressive wintry mix to rain ptype transition from
SW to NE by later Tuesday into Tuesday night.

Timing will likely shift around, but the main themes from next
Wednesday through the first weekend of March will be increasingly
mild with periods of rain. A sizable and springlike warming
trend appears to have staying power based on the 6-10/8-14 day
CPC temp outlooks.

&&

.AVIATION /07Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
There could (50%) be a brief period of light rain with MVFR
cigs at KBFD between 09-13Z as a sfc cold front tracks eastward
from the Lower Great Lakes. Patchy fog may develop again
tonight, with the highest likelihood in the central ridge and
valley region (AOO to UNV) and southeast PA (MDT and LNS). Still
not enough confidence to prevail any restrictions, but may need
to reduce cigs/vis if confidence increases. LLWS still
mentioned at BFD and JST in the warm advection pattern ahead of
the cold front. Have dropped those mentions after 12/13Z. Did
not mention LLWS at KIPT for the time being since the gusty srly
wind is currently making it over the ridge and mixing down to
the sfc. If (40%) the wind decouples, we`ll start to mention it
- but it should only be a concern until 14Z at the latest when
the wind shift/cold front comes along there. The rest of the day
will be a great day to fly with a light, veering wind for most
locations. BFD may hold onto an MVFR cig until mid-day, but no
IFR cigs in store.

The next surge of moisture comes later Sat night as a low
pressure area forms just to our south. It could (30-50%) produce
IFR cigs later Sat night. We`ve started to hint at some lower
clouds moving in for the tail end of this 06Z package. The
first place that might have some precip would be BFD just before
midnight local (010500Z), and if it gets briefly heavy, it could
(40%) become IFR, but not (10%) LIFR. Light snow accums are
expected N of I-80, and the chilly lower cloud deck elsewhere
may also lead to some de-icing being necessary.

Outlook...

Sun...Restrictions possible in rain/snow north & fog southeast early.

Mon...VFR likely.

Tue...Restrictions likely in wintry mix changing to rain.

Wed...Restrictions possible in periods of rain.

&&

.CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

$$

WHAT HAS CHANGED...Bauco
KEY MESSAGES...Steinbugl/Bauco
DISCUSSION...Steinbugl/Bauco
AVIATION...Dangelo/Banghoff

Forecaster's
Discussion: