Summer Weather ? (Harrisburg, Hershey: living in, moving to, vacation)

[skittles2u]

How is the weather in summer? Is it becoming necessary to use or want air conditioning?

[grmi66]

The first summer I lived in Hershey it got up to 100+ degrees for a week or so, but what was told that only happens about once a decade. Next year it was overcast and rainy all summer, seemed like it never got over 75 degrees. I moved out there from Arizona, so the heat wasn't a big deal it was the humidity. Used the A/C more to reduce the humidity than to cool things off. But for the most part, summer in central PA is not too bad.

[skittles2u]

thank you for your reply, so its too humid? guess i'm going to need to look if swamp coolers work in humid weather.

[grmi66]

Swamp coolers won't work in PA. Used to use 2-3 towels after a shower to try and dry off to no avail. Finally got used to always sweating during the summer. Worst part of PA was that they used to dress very formally at a lot of workplaces. So even in the middle of summer I had to walk into the office with a suit & tie on every day. Was allowed to take off my jacket once I got to my desk. Nothing like wearing a suit in hot, humid weather.

[JettaPA]

On average, summer's in Central PA run between 85-95 from June through early September, but in the deep days of July/August it can get high 90's and into the triple digits. Like grmi66 said, it is humid. I grew up without AC in my parents home, but I was a kid and was always outside in the heat so I was used to being sweaty all the time. If you don't like the sticky/sweaty feeling constantly, I would recommend AC.

[Craziaskowboi]

The following days since January 1, 1950 have observed a high temperature of 100° or higher in Harrisburg:


100° - June 26, 1952

102° - September 2, 1953
102° - September 3, 1953

101° - July 14, 1954
100° - July 31, 1954

100° - August 5, 1955

100° - August 20, 1962

100° - June 27, 1966
104° - July 2, 1966
107° - July 3, 1966
104° - July 4, 1966
100° - July 10, 1966
100° - July 26, 1966

100° - August 28, 1973

100° - July 20, 1980

100° - August 20, 1983

101° - July 7, 1988
101° - July 8, 1988
101° - July 10, 1988
104° - July 16, 1988

101° - July 19, 1991
101° - July 20, 1991
101° - July 21, 1991
103° - July 23, 1991
100° - August 2, 1991

100° - July 17, 1997
100° - July 18, 1997

101° - July 4, 1999
102° - July 5, 1999
102° - July 6, 1999
101° - July 16, 1999
100° - July 17, 1999
101° - July 18, 1999

102° - August 2, 2002

100° - July 6, 2010

101° - July 21, 2011
103° - July 22, 2011

101° - July 7, 2012

(The absolute record high temperature for Harrisburg is indicated in MAROON.)


Based on this, you can expect at least one day of triple-digit heat every few years, and at least one wave of triple-digit heat per decade. It also appears that you won't go more than six to eight years without triple-digit heat.

[grmi66]

Moving to central PA from the southwest, Summer was the easiest season to adjust to. Never, ever got used to the days where it wasn't quite cold enough to snow and you got rain instead. Bonus if it was really windy and an umbrella was basically useless. Nothing like walking outside to pouring down rain, 40 degree temps and high winds.

But after living in multiple states in various parts of the country, central PA's weather is probably the second or third best climate I've lived in. I like four seasons and for the most part PA has four fairly moderate seasons. Was able to run or ride my bike outside almost year round.

[skittles2u]

thank you grmi66.... I am looking to escape the summer heat. I have tried for 30 years to get used to it, or at least tolerate it... I'm hopeful this is my last summer here. Looking to visit PA in August and look at areas to consider to live. I've vacationed in PA and Ohio twice; but will now look through the filter of how it feels. Hopefully if there is humidity it wont be so high as to make me appreciate the infamous words i hear now, "at least its a dry heat"!

[judd2401]

Very simply put, it's hot and humid here in the summer. I would recommend a residence with central A/C. You won't regret it. If not central A/C, you should plan on window units. If no A/C, it will be stifling during the summer. Last year was like a blast furnace outside, it would take 30 minutes of my one way 1 hour commute for my car to finally cool, the steering wheel would be so hot I could barely touch it, it gets hot!

[skittles2u]

Originally Posted by judd2401

Very simply put, it's hot and humid here in the summer. I would recommend a residence with central A/C. You won't regret it. If not central A/C, you should plan on window units. If no A/C, it will be stifling during the summer. Last year was like a blast furnace outside, it would take 30 minutes of my one way 1 hour commute for my car to finally cool, the steering wheel would be so hot I could barely touch it, it gets hot!

thank you for your honesty.