- Climate of Allentown, Pennsylvania
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Allentown Climate chart (explanation) J F M A M J J A S O N D 3.535192.839213.649293.560384.57148479584.384634.482614.474533.363413.751333.44024Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation totals in inches Source: Weather.com / NWS Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D 892-7704-6909-28916311422910126141082917110281611123128517594111864-4Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation totals in mm The Climate of Allentown is classified as humid continental. Allentown's warmest month (on average) is July with an average high temperature of 84 °F (29 °C) and the coldest month (on average) being January with an average high of 35 °F (2 °C). The average precipitation of Allentown is 45.17 inches (1,147 mm) per year. Allentown occasionally has some severe weather, mostly thunderstorms and flooding. Winters can bring snow, with some years with barely a trace of snow to others with over a foot of snow. Winter also brings the more dangerous ice, sleet, and freezing rain, which has caused several traffic accidents over the years. Tropical storms and hurricanes occasionally survive up the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and cross into Pennsylvania. The last major problem-hurricane was with Hurricane Ivan, which caused many area floods.
Contents
Average temperatures
Climate data for Allentown Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °F (°C) 72
(22)76
(24)87
(31)94
(34)97
(36)100
(38)105
(41)105
(41)99
(37)93
(34)81
(27)72
(22)105
(41)Average high °F (°C) 35
(2)38.7
(3.7)48.7
(9.3)60.1
(15.6)70.9
(21.6)79.3
(26.3)83.9
(28.8)81.7
(27.6)74
(23)62.9
(17.2)51.2
(10.7)40
(4)60.5 Average low °F (°C) 19.1
(−7.2)21
(−6)28.9
(−1.7)37.8
(3.2)48.3
(9.1)57.7
(14.3)62.6
(17.0)60.7
(15.9)52.7
(11.5)41.1
(5.1)32.7
(0.4)24
(−4)40.6 Record low °F (°C) −16
(−27)−12
(−24)−5
(−21)12
(−11)29
(−2)39
(4)38
(3)41
(5)31
(−1)19
(−7)3
(−16)−9
(−23)−16
(−27)Precipitation inches (mm) 3.50
(88.9)2.75
(69.9)3.56
(90.4)3.49
(88.6)4.47
(113.5)3.99
(101.3)4.27
(108.5)4.35
(110.5)4.37
(111)3.33
(84.6)3.70
(94)3.39
(86.1)45.17
(1,147.3)Snowfall inches (cm) 11.1
(28.2)9.4
(23.9)5.5
(14)0.8
(2)0
(0)0
(0)0
(0)0
(0)0
(0)0.1
(0.3)1.4
(3.6)3.8
(9.7)32.1
(81.5)Avg. precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 11.2 10.2 11.1 11.3 12.4 11.2 10.5 9.4 9.9 8.7 10.0 11.0 126.9 Avg. snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 5.7 4.9 2.8 0.4 0 0 0 0 0 0.1 0.8 3.3 18.0 Source: NOAA [1] The Weather Channel (records)[2] Summer
Allentown, Pennsylvania, 2010
Summers in Eastern Pennsylvania are hot and very humid, with temperatures in the mid-80s and low-90s. The average high temperature peaks at 84 °F (29 °C), but highs can often surpass that, with the all-time record high standing at 105 °F (41 °C). Humidity is often around 80 percent, which is a drastic change for someone living in the Southwest United States. Rain is common, and is often accompanied by strong or severe thunderstorms. These will cause quite a large amount of rain, but they do not last long at all. Air conditioning is popular among most households in the summer months, because high temperatures and high humidity can make the air feel much warmer than the actual temperature. Heat stroke is possible in times of extreme heat, so be sure to stay hydrated during the summer months.
Autumn
Autumn is fairly mild, with daytime temperatures in the 70s and 60s. Autumn brings more wind, and sometimes heavier rainfall. Trees begin to lose their leaves before the cold winter season. Temperatures often get higher than average, with October's record high standing at 93 °F (34 °C).
Winter
Winters are cool to cold, with January's high temperature at 35 °F (2 °C). The highest temperature recorded was 76 °F (24 °C) in February, 87 °F (31 °C) in March, and 72 °F (22 °C) in both December and January. Snowfall is common, with amounts varying greatly between seasons. Snow, ice, sleet, and freezing rain can cause road problems and school closures. A couple years ago in February, I-78 was closed just west of the city. Drivers were stranded on the stretch of highway for as much as 18 hours, with overturned tractor trailers blocking the way. Winter sports are popular, such as snowboarding and skiing, and they can be enjoyed in the Pocono Mountains, just north of the Lehigh Valley.
Spring
Spring is a season of growth, with new grass growing and flowers blooming. Animals come out of hibernation, and sun fills the city and its surroundings. Temperatures are on the rise, but March and April bring much rain, with light rain that can last for hours on end. That gives way to warm May and June months, and beach weather is in the forecast for many residents.
Natural disasters
Hurricanes, Tropical storms, and Tropical Depressions are all summer threats. Severe thunderstorms are an even bigger threat, and can cause flash flooding. When flash flooding occurs, mudslides are rare but are possible. Tornadoes and earthquakes are not common, but they have been reported. Blizzards have happened, but usually once every ten or fifteen years.
Pollution
Air pollution is a problem in the area, as with Philadelphia and New York City, both of which lie less than 100 miles from Allentown. Although many factories have left, air pollution is still a problem. Light pollution is becoming an issue, since streetlights and businesses are on every street in the city. Water pollution is a problem in some of the creeks because of illegal dumping, but the city's water and sewer system keeps the Lehigh River and Delaware River clean.
See also
- Allentown, Pennsylvania
- Lehigh Valley
References
- ^ "NCDC: U.S. Climate Normals". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. http://cdo.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim20/pa/360106.pdf. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
- ^ "Monthly Averages for Allentown, PA". Weather.com. 2009. http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/wxclimatology/monthly/USPA0025. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
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