Scranton sits in the Lackawanna Valley of northeast Pennsylvania, hemmed in by the Pocono and Endless Mountains. Its higher elevation and northern latitude give it a true humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) — noticeably colder and snowier than the cities of the southeast.
Summers are mild to warm, with July highs around the low 80s and cooler nights than the lowland cities. Winters are the main event: cold, with January lows in the upper teens, and snowy, averaging around 46 inches a year. Nor'easters, Great Lakes clippers, and the occasional clip of lake-effect cloud all contribute. Precipitation totals about 38 inches over the year.
Winter is when NEPA weather demands the most attention — heavy snow, ice, and cold — but summer thunderstorms and flash flooding in the steep valleys after heavy rain are real warm-season hazards too.
Climate normals (approximate)
- Warmest month: July — average high around 82 °F
- Coldest month: January — average low around 18 °F
- Annual precipitation: roughly 38 inches
- Annual snowfall: about 46 inches
- Climate type: humid continental (Köppen Dfb)
Common questions
- Why is Scranton colder and snowier than Philadelphia?
- Higher elevation, a more northern latitude, and the surrounding mountains. Northeast PA averages around 46 inches of snow a year — roughly double the southeast corner of the state.
- When is winter weather worst in Scranton?
- December through March, driven by nor'easters, clipper systems, and arctic cold. Ice events are also common in the valley.
- Does it flood in the Lackawanna Valley?
- Heavy rain can cause flash flooding in the steep, narrow valleys, and the Lackawanna and Susquehanna rivers can rise quickly with prolonged rain or snowmelt.
Figures are long-term climate normals (roughly the 1991–2020 reference period) and are meant for context. The live readings at the top of this page always reflect current conditions.