Pennsylvania has beautiful scenery, professional sports, amazing food, and plenty of history. When planning to live or visit, you’ll want to choose the city with the best weather. But which city does have the best weather?

Harrisburg has the best weather in Pennsylvania. On average, Harrisburg has 193 sunny days a year which is 14 more days than Pennsylvania’s average.  The yearly precipitation in Harrisburg is around 68 inches compared to Pennsylvania’s 72 inches.

Harrisburg is full of creative sites and old history that can be found almost anywhere. In this article, we explain more about the weather to ensure you don’t miss out.

Why Does Harrisburg Have the Best Weather?

Harrisburg has many types of weather throughout the year. The weather in the summer can have bright, humid days with cool overcast nights and the winters can be cold days with still nights. In between these seasons comes a middle ground that makes Harrisburg a fantastic place in Pennsylvania for great weather.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is nestled to the east of the Susquehanna River and is ranked as one of the most pleasant places in Pennsylvania. The average temperature is 61 degrees, but the temperature can be as high as 85 degrees and as low as 39 degrees.

Harrisburg has Warm Weather and Sunny Days

Places near Harrisburg can have heavy snowfall, but Harrisburg is east of the Appalachian Mountains, which causes cold air to sink, dry out, and even warm-up at times. This is one of the many reasons Harrisburg is known to have clear skies.  Yearly, Harrisburg has 53% of sunshine, while Pennsylvania only has 49%. 

How Much Precipitation Does Harrisburg Have?

Harrisburg receives an estimated 26 inches of snow and 42 inches of rain a year. Pennsylvania as a whole average 2 more inches of rain and snow than Harrisburg.

June registers the most rain at 3.5 inches, roughly 7% of the estimated amount each year, and February registers the most snow at 8.3 inches, around 32% of the estimated amount each year in Harrisburg. 

What Part of Pennsylvania Gets the Most Snow?

Generally, Pennsylvania will receive a total of 40 inches a year. At times, this can make exploring a city or events incredibly difficult. In the winter, to avoid missing opportunities due to snow, many visit Susquehanna Valley, where Harrisburg is located.

In the past, Harrisburg in January and February frequently had the highest chance of snow, close to 12%. December should provide a light amount of snow, but not so much that the streets or businesses will be closed.

What is the Temperature like in Harrisburg?

The temperatures in Harrisburg have a great deal of variety. Below is a list that shows the temperatures in each season.

  • Spring – High of 63 degrees and a low of 42 degrees.
  • Summer – High around 86 degrees and a low of 66 degrees.
  • Fall – High of 64 and a low of 45 degrees.
  • Winter – High of 38 degrees and a low of 23 degrees.

Visiting Harrisburg in June is a great way to avoid extreme cold and some precipitation. June is the perfect time for enjoying Pride of the Susquehanna-Riverboat tour and Riverfront Park, where you can explore the beautiful gardens and trees.

For those looking for a little bit of a cooler trip, visiting in September is ideal. It allows you to see amazing firework shows, fairs and festivals, or the Flight 93 National Memorial.

Places to visit in Harrisburg

Susquehanna River attractionscan be found all around this river. Many tourists and residents find boat tours, history tours, and other fun activities to enjoy. Some of these include:

As you can see, Harrisburg, as the capital of Pennsylvania, has numerous destinations, activities, and events to enjoy.

Conclusion

The beginning of summer and fall are recommended for the best weather in Pennsylvania. Although, be aware that July has the most rain and January has the most snow. The temperature in Harrisburg can be as high as 86 degrees and as low as 23 degrees. Due to its location in the Susquehanna Valley, Harrisburg has the best weather in Pennsylvania.