Weather StoryAlmanac, microseasons, and the day's weather story.

Scranton, Pennsylvania Weather

Night falls a minute earlier. Day 43 of summer. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →

Scranton weather forecast — hour by hour, 7-day outlook, NOAA radar

Scranton, PA
Sunday, August 2 at 10:57 AM
77
°
Overcast
Feels like
78°
Humidity
61%
Wind
7 mph
Sunrise
1:58 AM
Sunset
4:18 PM
Scranton, PA
Hour by hour · 24h
24-Hour ForecastScranton, PA: 24-hour forecast. Temperatures range from 70 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit with a 55% chance of precipitation at 11 PM.
L 70°H 82°
Scranton, PA
7-day forecast
  1. Today
    Aug 2
    Heavy Rain
    55%
    0.62″
    82°70°
  2. Monday
    Aug 3
    Drizzle
    53%
    0.04″
    80°67°-2°
  3. Tuesday
    Aug 4
    Overcast
    84°60°+4°
  4. Wednesday
    Aug 5
    Light Drizzle
    22%
    86°60°+2°
  5. Thursday
    Aug 6
    Drizzle
    64%
    85°71°-1°
  6. Friday
    Aug 7
    Thunderstorm
    56%
    88°70°+3°
  7. Saturday
    Aug 8
    Overcast
    49%
    90°68°+2°
Scranton, PA
Anemometer · 24h winds · from true
NESW
From · True
SSE
165° · backing 70°
Direction
SSE
165°
Sustained
7
mph
Gust
18
mph
Peak 24h
18
avg 4 mph
Beaufort · 2 · LIGHT BRZ
0
CALM
<1
1
LIGHT AIR
1–3
2
LIGHT BRZ
4–7
3
GENTLE BRZ
8–12
4
MOD BRZ
13–18
5
FRESH BRZ
19–24
6
STRONG BRZ
25–31
7
NEAR GALE
32–38
24h · sust vs gust · mph
avg 4 mph · pk 18 mph
0102030MPHB1B2B3B4B5B6-21h-18h-15h-12h-9h-6h-3h-24hNOWpk 267SUSTGUST
−24h−18h−12h−6hnow
Light breeze backing 70° from the sse.
Scranton, PA
Barometer · 24h pressure · mb
STORMRAINCHANGEFAIRDRY9901000101010201030
Pressure · mb
986.3
+1.5 mb in 3h · rising · 29.13 inHg
Now
986.3
mb
3h
+1.5
mb
12h
+1.6
mb
24h
-0.2
mb
Regime · STORM
STORM
RAIN
CHANGE
FAIR
DRY
24h · Pressure · mb
range 985988
9809859909951000STORM|RAIN10051010RAIN|CHG1015CHG|FAIR10201025FAIR|DRY1030-21h-18h-15h-12h-9h-6h-3h-24hNOW987.7985.2987.3
The low is filling — pressure climbing out of storm territory.
Scranton, PA
Air quality
51
AQI
Moderate
0 in 6h

AQI 51 (Moderate), driven by PM2.5. AQI flat over the last 6 hours (within ±3 points). PM2.5 at 8.0 µg/m³, PM10 at 9.7 µg/m³ — typical background levels with no transport signature.

OK No precautions needed for the general population; unusually sensitive individuals may consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.

PM 2.5DRIVERGood
8.0μg/m³
PM 10Good
10μg/m³
NO₂Good
2μg/m³
OzoneModerate
89μg/m³
UV IndexModerate
3.3

What's driving it

Ozone × UV × Sky

Ozone at AQI 42. Overcast through the UV peak window (cloud cover ~100%) — afternoon ozone should stay flat.

Present
AQI 42
UV peak
4.7 at 1 PM
Sky at peak
overcast
Projected peak
AQI 13

PM × Wind × Precip

PM2.5 at 8.0 µg/m³, PM10 at 9.7 µg/m³ — typical background levels with no transport signature.

PM2.5/PM10
0.82
Wind
light
Recent rain
0h in last 6h
Pattern
background
Scranton, PA
Sky cover · visibility · 24h
Cloud cover
100%
OVERCAST
100%0%−24h−18h−12h−6hnow

Visibility
56.9mi
UNLIMITED
70 mi0 mi−24h−18h−12h−6hnow
Earth · GOES-19 ABI
Full Disk · Visible · GeoColor
GOES-19 full disk Visible · GeoColor
True-color daytime, blue/IR sandwich at night
14:57 UTC · Scranton, PA · NOAA NESDIS / STAR · up to 10848 px
Continental US · GOES-19 ABI
CONUS Sector · Visible · GeoColor
GOES-19 CONUS Visible · GeoColor
Daytime true-color, blue-light/IR sandwich at night
14:57 UTC · Scranton, PA · NOAA NESDIS / STAR · 5-min cadence · up to 10000 px
Scranton, PA
Satellite · infrared · animated
Scranton, PA
Loading IR frames…
IR · cloud-top temp© RainViewer · Carto
Scranton, PA
Almanac · Sunday, August 2
Red sky at night, sailor's delight.
Civil dawn
5:28 AM
Sunrise
1:58 AM
Daylight
14h 20m
Sunset
4:18 PM
Civil dusk
8:51 PM
Planting note
Sow fall peas. Start kale and collard seedlings for fall.
Scranton, PA
The moon
Waning Gibbous
84% illuminated
Moonrise
9:46 PM
Moonset
10:05 AM
In sign
♓︎ Pisces
Scranton, PA
Microseason
Aug 1–5

Night falls a minute earlier

celestial
Jan 159% of the yearDec 31

Read this microseason across nine climate regions →

Scranton at a glance

  • Today vs. normal: 16°F above the seasonal normal for this latitude
  • Last frost: April 24 (climatological average for this latitude)
  • Microseason: Aug 1–5
  • Planting window: Sow fall peas. Start kale and collard seedlings for fall.

ZIP codes: 18503, 18504, 18505, 18508, 18509, 18510, 18512, 18519

16-Day Forecast — Scranton

  1. Sun82°70°55%
  2. Mon80°67°53%
  3. Tue84°60°4%
  4. Wed86°60°22%
  5. Thu85°71°64%
  6. Fri88°70°56%
  7. Sat90°68°49%
  8. Sun92°69°32%
  9. Mon95°70°35%
  10. Tue82°61°23%
  11. Wed85°54°20%
  12. Thu77°66°39%
  13. Fri86°68°48%
  14. Sat91°68°38%
  15. Sun86°67°19%
  16. Mon90°62°35%

Forecast data from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0).

Live wind & temperature near Scranton

Right now in the garden

Peak growing season

As of August 2, the growing season is at its peak — frost is months away. Continue succession-planting beans and summer squash. Start fall brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale) from seed indoors for transplanting in late summer.

SPC Convective Outlook

Storm Prediction Center — Scranton

SPC includes Scranton in the general thunderstorm area today — no severe risk, but storms are possible.

  • TODAYTSTMGeneral Thunderstorms
  • TOMORROWTSTMGeneral Thunderstorms
  • DAY 3TSTMGeneral Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms possible. Not severe, but capable of producing lightning and brief heavy rain.

Source: NOAA / NWS Storm Prediction Center categorical convective outlook. Outlooks are re-issued multiple times per day; this page reflects the most recent SPC polygons covering the city’s coordinates.

Sun & seasons in Scranton

Scranton sits in Lackawanna County, where the year’s longest day runs 15h 10m of daylight and its shortest just 9h 11m — a swing of +6h between the June and December solstices. Clocks spring forward on Sunday, March 8, 2026 and fall back on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

Philadelphia, the state’s largest city, lies about 100 miles to the SSE. The nearest town Scranton tracks is Allentown, roughly 57 miles to the S.

Air quality in Scranton’s county has held roughly steady since 2020; its cleanest year on record was 2025 (median AQI 39). See the full air-quality history for Scranton.

January 1–5: The year turns in silence.January 6–10: Ice thickens on still water.January 11–15: Shortest shadows lengthen.January 16–20: Pheasants begin to call.January 21–25: Springs begin to thaw.January 26–31: Chickadees announce dawn.February 1–5: East wind softens the frost.February 6–10: Sap begins to rise.February 11–15: First snowdrops appear.February 16–20: Red-winged blackbirds return.February 21–25: Rain begins to replace snow.February 26–28: Skunk cabbage pushes through ice.March 1–5: Ice withdraws from the reservoir.March 6–10: Crocuses open to weak sun.March 11–15: Peepers call from the marsh.March 16–20: Woodcocks spiral at dusk.March 21–25: Equinox — light overtakes dark.March 26–31: Forsythia opens along the fences.April 1–5: Cherry blossoms drift like snow.April 6–10: Warblers appear in the understory.April 11–15: Magnolias bloom and fall in a day.April 16–20: Dogwoods float above the forest.April 21–25: Lilacs perfume the evening.April 26–30: Last frost releases the garden.May 1–5: Warblers flood the Ramble.May 6–10: Tulip poplars light their candles.May 11–15: Shad run up the rivers.May 16–20: Roses open along the stoops.May 21–25: Firefly scouts appear at dusk.May 26–31: Strawberries ripen in the sun.June 1–5: Fireflies rise from the lawn.June 6–10: Elderflowers open in hedgerows.June 11–15: Solstice approaches — longest light.June 16–20: Honeysuckle sweetens the night.June 21–25: Solstice — the sun stands still.June 26–30: Lightning bugs drift through oaks.July 1–5: Cicadas claim the afternoon.July 6–10: Queen Anne's lace lines the roads.July 11–15: Thunder builds each afternoon.July 16–20: Corn reaches for the tassels.July 21–25: Dog days settle in the haze.July 26–31: Katydids begin their chorus.August 1–5: Night falls a minute earlier.August 6–10: Sunflowers face the morning.August 11–15: Goldenrod begins to bloom.August 16–20: Crickets pulse through warm nights.August 21–25: First cool morning surprises.August 26–31: Monarchs stage for flight.September 1–5: School buses reappear.September 6–10: Asters purple the roadsides.September 11–15: Hawk migration over the Hudson.September 16–20: Equinox — dark overtakes light.September 21–25: Apples hang heavy on the branch.September 26–30: Geese begin to chevron south.October 1–5: Witch hazel blooms as others fade.October 6–10: Maples begin to blaze.October 11–15: Frost paints the garden black.October 16–20: Oaks turn bronze and russet.October 21–25: Leaves rattle down the gutters.October 26–31: Clocks fall back — dusk at five.November 1–5: Ginkgos drop overnight.November 6–10: Last leaves cling stubbornly.November 11–15: Juncos arrive from the north.November 16–20: Bare branches reveal the sky.November 21–25: First flurries dust the rooftops.November 26–30: Woodsmoke curls through the block.December 1–5: Darkness settles before dinner.December 6–10: Holly and winterberry persist.December 11–15: Shortest day approaches.December 16–20: Ice begins to form at the edges.December 21–25: Solstice — the sun begins return.December 26–31: The year turns in silence.🌱February 14 — First skunk-cabbage spathes thaw their way up☀️March 20 — Spring equinox — day and night balance🌸April 5 — Cherry blossoms peak in the parks🐦May 10 — Warbler migration peaks along the coastMay 25 — First fireflies scout the meadows at dusk🌞June 21 — Summer solstice — longest day🦗July 25 — Peak cicada chorus in the afternoons🌊August 18 — Warmest sea-surface temperatures of the year🍂September 22 — Autumn equinox — the slow turn❄️October 25 — First widespread frost in the suburbs🍁November 10 — Peak leaf color across the Hudson Valley🌙December 21 — Winter solstice — longest night

Microseason · August 1–5

Night falls a minute earlier

Sunset retreats perceptibly — daylight shortening speeds up.

Day 214 of 365 · Wedge 43 of 72

The solar year drawn as a wheel of 72 five-day windows. Each wedge is one microseason; the four colored arcs mark winter, spring, summer, and autumn; the small icons sit at notable phenological events. The crimson pointer creeps clockwise as the year turns.

Planting calendar

MonthPlantHarvest
January
February
March
Aprillettuce, peas, spinach, radishes
Maylettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squashlettuce, peas, radishes
Junetomatoes, peppers, beans, squashlettuce, peas, radishes
Julytomatoes, peppers, beans, squashtomatoes, beans, summer squash
Augusttomatoes, beans, summer squash
Septemberfall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrotstomatoes, beans, summer squash
Octoberfall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrotswinter squash, tomatoes (last)
November
December

A year in weather

In Scranton, July runs warmest near 74°F and January coldest around 28°F, while September is the wettest month (4.2 inches) and February the driest (2.1 inches).

MonthMean tempPrecipRainy days
January28°2.66
February30°2.16
March38°2.87
April50°3.37
May61°3.38
June69°3.88
July74°3.67
August72°3.97
September65°4.26
October53°3.76
November43°2.96
December33°2.86

Regional context

In Scranton, NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 normals put January near 28°F and July near 74°F — a 46°F seasonal arc — with about 38.7 inches of precipitation over 80 rainy or snowy days.

Precipitation in Scranton runs summer-dominant: September averages 4.2 inches across 6.4 days of warm-season storms, while February drops to 2.1 inches over 5.5 rainy days of drier cool air. That puts Scranton in a summer-convective cohort with places like Taylor, PA, Dunmore, PA and Moosic, PA.

Around mid-April, Scranton sheds its freezing nights — kale, peas, spinach, and parsnips go into Scranton's beds. Heat-demanding starts go out a fortnight on in Scranton, after the soil warms and cold snaps clear. The season ends by mid-November in Scranton, once hard frosts set back in. A creek-bottom lot in Scranton can lag Scranton's last frost 7-10 days behind a south slope.

Similar climates: Taylor, PA, Dunmore, PA, Moosic, PA, Throop, PA, Old Forge, PA.

Naturalist notes

Late April often brings the return of wood warblers to Scranton's wooded areas, their songs marking the transition from spring migration to nesting season.

Sugar maples typically begin their autumn color change in early October, turning from green to brilliant orange and red as daylight hours shorten.

Frequently asked

When does it freeze in Scranton?
Scranton's last spring frost lands near mid-April, and in Scranton the first fall frost follows around mid-November.
What is the rainy season in Scranton?
Scranton sees its heaviest rain in September (around 4.2 inches), part of roughly 39 inches a year.
What is the warmest month in Scranton?
On average July tops the year in Scranton at about 74°F.
What is the coldest month in Scranton?
The coldest stretch in Scranton falls in January, around 28°F on average.
When can I start a vegetable garden in Scranton?
Hardy spring crops go in near mid-April in Scranton; tender peppers and squash wait 10–14 days.
How many rainy days does Scranton get?
Expect roughly 80 wet days a year in Scranton.
What hardiness zone is Scranton?
Because Scranton bottoms near 28°F in January, that winter low sets Scranton's USDA zone — verify by ZIP.
What is the 10-day forecast for Scranton?
Scranton's extended outlook — daily high and low temperatures and precipitation chances for each upcoming day — is in the daily forecast above.
Will it rain this week in Scranton?
See this week's day-by-day rain chances for Scranton in the daily forecast above, and the next 24 hours in the hourly chart.
What is the weather like right now in Scranton?
Current conditions for Scranton and the next 24 hours — temperature, precipitation chance, and wind by the hour — are in the hourly forecast chart above.
How often is the Scranton forecast updated?
The Scranton forecast on this page is built from Open-Meteo weather-model data and refreshes regularly through the day.
When are sunrise and sunset in Scranton?
Today's sunrise and sunset times for Scranton are in the Almanac section above, along with civil dawn, civil dusk, and day length. Day length is longest near the summer solstice and shortest near the winter solstice.
How accurate is the weather forecast for Scranton?
The next few days in Scranton's forecast are the most reliable; accuracy declines beyond about a week as weather-model uncertainty grows.

Climate

In Scranton, Pennsylvania, the warm-summer humid continental climate runs from about 28°F in January to 74°F in July, a 46°F seasonal range.

Rain and snow bring Scranton roughly 39 inches a year across approximately 80 measurable-precipitation days.

Scranton's 46°F range, set by its 41.4°N position, drives frost timing and what thrives in Scranton.

ZIP codes in Scranton

  • 18504
  • 18509
  • 18508
  • 18510
  • 18503
  • 18505
  • 18507
  • 18515
  • 18540

Climate normals from the Open-Meteo Climate API. Köppen approximation from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Regions. See methodology for data sources, editorial rules, and corrections. Maintainer: Brian Tighe.