Trying to avoid high heat and summer storms? Check out the Grange Fair forecast
The 151st annual Centre County Grange Encampment and Fair is underway to wrap up a busy summer in Happy Valley.
The festival, better known as Grange Fair, celebrates local agriculture and family-friendly fun with a weeklong party in Centre Hall. This year’s fair stretches until Saturday, Aug. 23.
With a packed schedule of live entertainment, amusement rides, local vendors, exhibits and more available each day, there’s no such thing as a bad time to visit Grange Fair. But when should you head to the Grange Park if you’re hoping to beat the heat and avoid summer storms?
Here’s a look at the long-range forecast for this year’s Grange Fair, including a potential break from the heat for a few days.
Grange Fair forecast
Weather at this year’s Grange Fair, which kicked off with move-in day on Thursday, is expected to be mostly typical for mid-August.
Temperatures this weekend will stay warm with highs topping out at 89 degrees on Sunday. Highs will reach the upper 80s on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with a slight chance of showers and an occasional thunderstorm over the weekend, according to AccuWeather’s latest forecasts for Centre Hall. High humidity over the weekend could make for muggy afternoons at the fair.
Monday’s high temperature is expected to clock in at 83 degrees with partly cloudy conditions and light winds in store.
Those hoping to avoid sweltering heat at the Grange Fair might consider stopping by mid-week. The high temperature is predicted to drop to 72 degrees on Tuesday before falling to 68 degrees on Wednesday. Pleasant high temperatures on Thursday (75 degrees), Friday (78 degrees) and Saturday (82 degrees) are expected to round out the Grange Fair schedule.
Tuesday evening and Wednesday figure to have the best chance of bringing rain showers and scattered thunderstorms, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines told the CDT.
“More clouds and potential showers will help make it cooler,” Kines said Friday. “The next few days, if you’re out there walking around, it’s going to be hot. Temperature-wise, next week is a welcome change. You’ve just got to hope it won’t rain.”
Though it would put a damper on some fair activities, rain would be a welcome sight in the State College area after a few dry weeks.
According to National Weather Service archive data, State College has received 1.61 inches of rain over the last three weeks, totaling roughly half of the average precipitation expected in that span. State College has observed 27.33 inches of total precipitation so far in 2025, surpassing the 25.86 inches expected in a typical year to this point.
“There’s no doubt it’s been dry,” Kines said. The last couple of days, there have been a few pop-up thunderstorms, and some neighborhoods have gotten wet while others haven’t. In general, for the past 15 or 20 days, it’s been exceptionally dry.”
While at an outdoor event like the Grange Fair, guests should be mindful of the potential for sudden storms and severe weather, the NWS advises. Take a moment to know where the nearest shelter or structure is in case a storm arrives.
Those heading to the Grange Fair should try to take breaks in the shade, rest indoors and stay hydrated in the heat. AccuWeather’s forecast calls for a few days with particularly high ultraviolet (UV) indexes, so make sure to apply sunscreen and take proper precautions while outdoors.
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