Persistent rainfall and cool temperatures marked May 2025 across central and eastern Pennsylvania, turning the month into a near-washout for many residents and disrupting outdoor activities and sports across the region.
A record-breaking May for Harrisburg
Harrisburg experienced its wettest May on record, collecting 10.02 inches (254.5 mm) of rain at Harrisburg International Airport, surpassing the previous high of 9.71 inches (246.6 mm) from 1989. That total is more than double the May average of 3.83 inches (97.3 mm).
Rain fell on 25 of 31 days, with only May 10–11, 18–19, and 25–26 recorded as completely dry. The cloud cover and frequent showers also influenced temperatures. The average high for the month was 71.5°F (22.0°C), slightly below the seasonal norm of 73.7°F (23.2°C), while the average low reached 54.9°F (12.7°C), a bit warmer than the usual 53.1°F (11.7°C).
Heavy rainfall totals across Pennsylvania
Harrisburg wasn’t the only city drenched. Here’s a snapshot of 10 cities across Pennsylvania showing how much wetter than average the month was:
- Allentown: 10.45 inches (265.4 mm) vs. 3.65 (92.7 mm)
- Altoona: 6.90 inches (175.3 mm) vs. 3.88 (98.6 mm)
- Johnstown: 8.69 inches (220.7 mm) vs. 4.12 (104.6 mm)
- Lancaster: 8.57 inches (217.7 mm) vs. 3.44 (87.4 mm)
- Philadelphia: 6.22 inches (158.0 mm) vs. 3.34 (84.8 mm)
- Pittsburgh: 4.10 inches (104.1 mm) vs. 3.83 (97.3 mm)
- Reading: 10.00 inches (254.0 mm) vs. 3.51 (89.2 mm)
- State College: 7.56 inches (192.0 mm) vs. 3.64 (92.5 mm)
- Williamsport: 7.18 inches (182.4 mm) vs. 3.86 (98.0 mm)
- York: 8.49 inches (215.6 mm) vs. 4.17 (105.9 mm)
Greene County: the lone exception
Out of all 67 Pennsylvania counties, only Greene County managed to record normal precipitation in May, according to the National Weather Service. Nearly every county east of the Allegheny Mountains saw rainfall totals that were approximately double the monthly average.
Mixed picture after five months of 2025
Despite the soggy May, the first four months of 2025 had been drier than usual, and some counties remain in a deficit. Thirteen counties, mostly in central Pennsylvania, are still below their year-to-date precipitation averages.
Counties still more than 2 inches below normal include:
- Wyoming: -3.3 inches
- Perry: -3.2 inches
- Cumberland: -2.6 inches
- York: -2.5 inches
- Dauphin: -2.5 inches
- Franklin: -2.1 inches
Looking ahead: warmer days, more showers
Central Pennsylvania is expected to see summer-like conditions midweek, with temperatures climbing into the mid-80s°F (around 29°C) and possibly reaching 90°F (32.2°C). However, additional rain is on the way, with showers and thunderstorms likely Friday into Saturday, and lingering rain expected on Sunday, June 8.
Stay tuned for more weather updates as the unsettled pattern continues across the Keystone State.
