Spring freeze to hit early next week for northeastern and central Pennsylvania

PENNSYLVANIA, USA — For the second day in a row, northeastern and central Pennsylvania got a taste of summertime as temperatures topped out above 80 degrees.

The spring warm-up will be short-lived. The average high so far this spring in the Scranton area is 57. The average low is 35. That is 6 degrees above average and the 4th warmest spring since 1950. 

Stacy Stehr is the manager of Kenny Stehr and Sons Farm in Eldred Township, Schuylkill County, near Pitman. They have not planted their annuals at the farm yet, and recommend you don’t either.

“We are really excited. It’s the time of year when everybody wants to get out and start planting and make everything look pretty with flowers and greens,” Stehr said.

If you peeped at the end of the 7-day, you probably noticed the Stormtracker 16 Team is forecasting a possible freeze Monday morning and a likely freeze Tuesday morning.

“If you can wait a couple of weeks, that would be great. That’s just going to make your plants grow and flourish a lot better,” Stehr said.

You can see whether the plants you’re interested in are annuals by checking the tag in the section or by asking farm staff.

The last spring freeze in the Scranton area, on average, is April 25th. For the Williamsport area, it is April 29th. 

But there are years when it drops below freezing in late May. Most recently in 2023. If you have already planted, Stehr suggests covering your annual plants with a cloth overnight during a freeze warning. 

Another heads-up: experts say you can expect to pay more for the plants you do buy this year. 

“We’ve had to cut back on fertilizers just because we don’t have the money. Gas prices. Our tractors run on gas. During dry seasons, we irrigate and our irrigation pumps run on diesel fuel,” Stehr said.