Central PA Sees a Weather Shift After a Steamy July, With No Drought in Sight
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Asia Tabb
Aired; July 29th, 2025.
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After weeks of high humidity and relentless heat, central Pennsylvania is finally getting a break. Meteorologist Dan Tomaso says a shift in air flow from northern and central Canada is bringing much-needed relief.
“This is the hottest time of the year, so you expect things to be generally hot and humid,” Tomaso explained. “The difference has been how long the humidity has lasted.”
Much of July saw temperatures stuck in the upper 80s and 90s with warm, sticky nights. But that’s starting to change. Tomaso says, “We go from highs that are in the low to mid-90s, humidity that’s pretty much as high as it gets around here, to more comfortable air—high temperatures in the lower 80s.”
One benefit of all that humidity? Rain. And plenty of it. Tomaso says central Pennsylvania has moved out of drought conditions entirely. “We have a four-inch surplus in the Harrisburg area,” he said. “This is the best I’ve seen my grass and my yard be in the six years I’ve lived in my house.”
From June 1 to late July, Harrisburg recorded its 10th warmest and 13th wettest summer on record—a rare combination. “Usually if it’s wet, it’s somewhat cooler,” Tomaso said. “But we’ve had frequent daytime thunderstorms that help balance the heat.”
As for the Atlantic hurricane season, there’s been little action so far, which Tomaso attributes in part to the Bermuda High—what some media call a “heat dome.” “If it shifts, it can funnel hurricanes into the East Coast,” he said. For now, it’s mainly fueled local heat and storm activity.
Looking ahead, don’t expect fall to arrive early. “September has just basically been a continuation of summer in this area,” Tomaso noted. “If you’re looking for sweater weather, I think it generally holds off until early November.”
