The climate of Scranton
Perched in the northeastern region of
Pennsylvania, USA,
Scranton adheres to the principles of the Dfb Köppen climate classification, featuring a humid continental climate with no dry season and warm summers. This typology of climate is characterized by substantial seasonal variations in temperature, humidity, rainfall, and daylight hours.
Regarding temperature variations, Scranton experiences a rather wide range, with low temperatures dipping to 18°F (-7.8°C) in
January and steadily rising to peak at 80.2°F (26.8°C) in
July. The degree of humidity in the atmosphere maintains a relatively consistent fluctuation from 78% to 85% throughout the year, not showing extreme discrepancies from one season to another.
Precipitation levels follow a somewhat uniform path all year round. Scranton does not have a dry season, with rainfall amounts ranging from 1.38" (35mm) to 2.4" (61mm) and the city witnesses somewhere between 5.2 to 17.4 days of rainfall on a monthly average. Despite this, snowfall is fairly common in the winter months, reaching its highest at 5.08" (129mm) in
March and disappearing completely from
May till
October.
A unique weather pattern commonly observed in Scranton is the beautiful range of daylight hours it receives. January, the darkest month, gets 9.6 hours of daylight, while
June, the brightest, enjoys up to 15.1 hours, indicating considerable day length variations throughout the year.
The best time to visit Scranton
Considering all the factors of climate and weather, the most favorable time to explore
Scranton would be between
May and
September. These months offer warm temperatures catering to enjoyable outdoor activities, with highs typically ranging from 54.1°F (12.3°C) to 80.2°F (26.8°C). Scranton also receives the most sunshine during these months, with the average daily sunshine duration varying from 7.1 hours to 10 hours.
The humidity levels remain fairly stable during these months, hovering from 78% to 79%, ensuring there is not an excess of moisture in the air. Rainfall is evident but not overwhelming, with rainfall measurements between 1.81" (46mm) to 2.4" (61mm) and it rains for approximately 14.5 to 17.4 days in these months.
The worst time to visit Scranton
The chilliest period in
Scranton, making it less appealing for travel, runs from
December to
February. The city experiences its lowest temperatures in this timeframe, with the thermometer regularly displaying numbers between 18°F (-7.8°C) and 33.4°F (0.8°C). Further on, daily sunshine during these months diminishes to a meager 3.5 hours to 3.6 hours, resulting in shorter and colder days.
Scranton also witnesses its maximum snowfall during this period, reaching 4.65" (118mm) in December and 4.45" (113mm) in February. If frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall are not appealing, it is advisable to avoid these months for your visit to Scranton.
Spring weather in Scranton
Spring in
Scranton sees a noticeable upswing in temperatures, presenting a wide spectrum from 29.8°F (-1.2°C) to 66.7°F (19.3°C) between
March and
May. Relative to the winter months, the onset of spring commences the reduction in snowfall days, from around 9.9 days average in March to nearly null by May.
The increase in temperature is met with an increase in rainfall as well, starting at 1.65" (42mm) in March and peaking at 2.4" (61mm) in May. Delivering more daylight hours, spring marks the shift towards brighter days with daylight duration increasing from 12 hours in March to 14.5 in May.
Summer weather in Scranton
Summer in
Scranton entails higher temperatures averaging from 54.1°F (12.3°C) to 80.2°F (26.8°C), making it an ideal time for a variety of outdoor activities. The months of
June,
July, and
August witness relatively lower rainfall days averaging from 15.1 days to 16.8 days with an equivalent reduction in the quantity of rainfall to an average between 2.17" (55mm) to 2.4" (61mm).
These months also bring in the longest days of the year, providing maximized daylight hours - up to an impressive 15.1 hours in June, making it the city’s sunniest period.
Autumn weather in Scranton
Autumn ushers in a significant drop in temperature with average lows and highs tumbling from a comfortable 57.4°F (14.1°C) in
September to a chilly 31.5°F (-0.3°C) by
November. Rainfall also takes a dip during these months, falling from an average 1.89" (48mm) in
October to 1.81" (46mm) in November, and the city experiences fewer rainfall days as well.
Scranton experiences shorter daylight hours with each passing autumn month, declining from 12.5 hours in September to 9.9 hours by November.
Winter weather in Scranton
Winter in
Scranton presents shorter, colder days with the onset of snowfall. The months from
December to
February reveal temperatures critically dropping to a range between 18°F (-7.8°C) to 33.4°F (0.8°C). Rainfall is relatively low, falling between 1.38" (35mm) to 1.54" (39mm), but this is replaced with snowfall, reaching up to 4.65" (118mm) in December. The brightness of the day reduces significantly, delivering only 9.6 hours of daylight in December.
Weather in January
Weather in February
By
February, the wintry ambiance continues in
Scranton, and while the temperatures do see a slight rise, it still hovers in the low range. The days are slightly longer compared to
January, but still lacking in significant sunshine time.
Weather in February »Weather in March
As
March arrives, it signals the transition from winter to spring in
Scranton. The city experiences a gradual increase in temperature, which is a notable shift from the cold weather conditions observed in
February. One distinctive highlight is the drop in snowfall amounting to 5.08" (129mm), providing a sigh of relief for the residents after experiencing more intense snowfall in February.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
The advent of
April announces the arrival of true spring in
Scranton, showcasing a more temperate climate when compared between the previous and the next month. April stands out as the first month of the year when residents can expect little to no snowfall, with 0.55" (14mm) seen sporadically across a few days.
Weather in April »Weather in May
As
Scranton moves further into
May, the city experiences noticeable improvements in weather conditions with longer, warmer days setting the stage for outdoor activities. The city encounters the most rainfall in the year with 2.4" (61mm) spread across approximately 17.4 days, marking a shift from snowy to rainy conditions.
Weather in May »Weather in June
June welcomes the summer in
Scranton and the days are at their longest, giving the residents more time to enjoy the outdoors. Compared to
May, there is a significant rise in temperature, however, temperatures stay comfortably below the extreme heat.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
In
Scranton, the heart of summer is in
July with peak temperatures, leading to outdoor water activities becoming the norm. This month stands out for having not only the highest temperatures of the year between 80.2°F (26.8°C) to 59°F (15°C) but also the longest sunshine duration with an average of 10 hours per day.
Weather in July »Weather in August
August weather in
Scranton showcases a subtle shift from the scorching summer heat of
July towards the cooler autumn months ahead. The temperatures see a small drop, though the weather remains comfortably warm for outdoor pursuits.
Weather in August » Weather in September
September heralds the arrival of fall in
Scranton, characterized by a noticeable decline in average temperatures. This temperature shift from the preceding month renders a cooler and more pleasant weather, ideal for enjoying autumn's radiant colors.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October, in
Scranton, ushers in a definitive fall atmosphere, with a significant decrease in both temperature and daylight hours compared to
September. The month is characterized by increasing amounts of rainfall, with 1.89" (48mm) spread across various days.
Weather in October » Weather in November
November in
Scranton nearly marks the end of fall, with temperatures sinking further down. The city observes a transition from rain to snow indicative with snowfall reaching 2.13" (54mm). This month is the onset of winter, as evident from the increased snowfall and decreased temperatures.
Weather in November » Weather in December
Wrapping up the year in
Scranton,
December brings in the full force of winter with decreasing temperatures and increasing snowfall. In comparison to
November, there is a clear increase in snowfall amounting to 4.21" (107mm). This significant jump transforms the city into a winter wonderland, setting the stage for the year-end holiday season.
Weather in December »