Is spine-chilling weather in store for Halloween night? See Centre County’s forecast
Heading out for trick-or-treating in Centre County this Halloween? You might want to suit up in a costume with plenty of layers.
The forecast for the holiday looks a bit gloomy with cold temperatures expected in Happy Valley. Though rain does not look like a significant factor, overnight frost leading into Tuesday could put a damper on the annual festivities.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re heading out for Halloween this week.
What’s the weather outlook for trick-or-treating in Centre County?
AccuWeather’s forecast for State College as of noon Monday predicts chilly and partly cloudy conditions on Halloween.
Tuesday’s high temperature is expected to hit just 44 degrees Fahrenheit, while the overnight low should drop to about 30 degrees, falling just below freezing. AccuWeather’s online forecast aptly calls for “frightfully frigid” temperatures.
“It’s going to be chilly. There’s no doubt about that,” said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines. “Maybe at the beginning of the evening, we’ll be in the lower 40s, but it’s not out of the question that by 8 or 9 p.m., the temperatures will dip back into the 30s. This might be one of those evenings in which a jacket is certainly warranted.”
Fortunately, rain is not in the current forecast for Halloween, but a slight chance of a rain or snow shower might persist, Kines said. A slight breeze, scheduled to sustain between 6 and 9 mph, might make trick-or-treating feel just a little chillier.
“If you don’t consider the temperature, it should be a great evening for trick-or-treating,” Kines said. “I think a jacket is definitely warranted, and perhaps gloves or a hat for some people. The one good thing about trick-or-treating is that you are moving around, so your body can stay a bit warm that way.”
The National Weather Service in State College has issued a freeze warning for a good chunk of central Pennsylvania, including parts of Centre, Blair, Clinton, Lycoming, Columbia and Schuylkill counties. The warning, which is in effect from 4 to 9 a.m. Tuesday, coincides with sub-freezing temperatures expected in the area.
According to the advisory, homeowners with a green thumb should take action to protect tender plants and vegetation that could die or suffer damage due to freezing temperatures. Potted plants should be brought inside, the agency says.
Tuesday’s projected high of 44 degrees is expected to be among the coldest on record for State College on Halloween, according to the NWS. It will mark the coldest maximum temperature for Oct. 31 since 2011 (43 degrees), but linger well above 1917 and 2002’s record-low high temperature of 34 degrees, according to NWS archive data, which stretches back to 1893.
Staying safe while trick-or-treating
If you’re heading out on Halloween this year, it’s important to take easy steps to stay safe.
Here are a few pointers to keep in mind while trick-or-treating, according to the American Red Cross:
- Trick-or-treaters must see and be seen. Instead of masks, use face makeup for costumes to keep vision clear. Send your children out with flashlights, add reflective tape to dark costumes and trick-or-treat bags and try to wear light-colored clothing.
- Use flame-resistant costumes.
- Make sure kids know where they’re going. Accompany children from door to door when possible.
- Be cautious around animals, especially dogs.
- Walk, don’t run. You’ve got all night.
- Only visit homes that have porch lights on. Accept treats at the door and never go inside a stranger’s home.
- Walk on sidewalks. If sidewalks are not available, walk at the edge of the roadway facing traffic. Be sure to look both ways, cross only at corners and avoid crossing between cars or cutting across yards.
- Have a grown-up check candy before eating. Remove loose candy, open packages and choking hazards, and discard any items whose brands are not familiar.
Additionally, consider the following tips if you are hosting any trick-or-treaters this Halloween:
- Light your homes and walkways so incoming trick-or-treaters can see.
- Sweep obstacles from your sidewalks and steps, and clear your porch from obstacles that could trip any costumed guests.
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