Soil Temperature in Pennsylvania
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Pennsylvania is 79°F, based on 3 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 77°F to 81°F. Last updated July 2, 2026.
Current Planting Conditions
Summer conditions across Pennsylvania with soil averaging 79°F at 2 inches. Warm-season grasses are in peak growth; keep cool-season lawns mowed high and watered deep. The next application windows arrive in fall, starting with pre-emergent as soil falls back through 70°F.
Grass Seed Germination in Pennsylvania
Grass seed germination
Grass seed germination temperatures across Pennsylvania. Soil warmth varies by location, so check a city page for the live reading and what germinates there now.
| Grass species | Germination optimum | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky bluegrass | 59–86°F | 14-30 |
| Tall fescue | 68–86°F | 7-12 |
| Perennial ryegrass | 68–86°F | 5-10 |
| Fine fescue | 59–77°F | 7-14 |
| Bermudagrass | 75–85°F | 10-30 |
Monitoring Stations in Pennsylvania (3)
For root-zone timing (fertilizer, aeration, weed control), see the 4-inch soil temperature for Pennsylvania. For accumulated-heat timing, see growing degree days for Pennsylvania. See the Pennsylvania soil temperature map for the full station view.
| Station | 2" Temp | Last Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Mahantango Ck (Northumberland) | 81°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Rock Springs Pa (Centre) | 78°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Avondale 2 N | 77°F | 2026-07-02 |
Cities in Pennsylvania (72)
| City | ZIP | Current Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Academy Life | 19488 | 77°F |
| Albion | 16401 | 77°F* |
| Allentown | 18101 | 77°F |
| Altoona | 16601 | 78°F |
| Beaver Springs | 17812 | 81°F |
| Bethlehem | 18015 | 77°F |
| Blue Bell | 19422 | 77°F |
| Boyers | 16016 | 78°F* |
| Butler | 16001 | 80°F* |
| Camp Hill | 17001 | 81°F |
| Carlisle | 17013 | 81°F |
| Carnegie | 15106 | 82°F* |
| Chambersburg | 17201 | 78°F |
| Chester | 19013 | 77°F |
| Concordville | 19331 | 77°F |
| Conshohocken | 19428 | 77°F |
| Cresson | 16630 | 78°F |
| Dallas | 18612 | 81°F |
| Danville | 17821 | 81°F |
| Doylestown | 18901 | 77°F |
| Eagleville | 19408 | 77°F |
| East Stroudsburg | 18301 | 84°F* |
| Easton | 18040 | 77°F |
| Edinboro | 16412 | 77°F* |
| Emmaus | 18049 | 77°F |
| Erie | 16501 | 79°F* |
| Fort Washington | 19034 | 77°F |
| Frackville | 17931 | 81°F |
| Genesee | 16923 | 72°F* |
| Greensburg | 15601 | 83°F* |
| Hanover | 17331 | 79°F |
| Harleysville | 19438 | 77°F |
| Harrisburg | 17101 | 81°F |
| Hazleton | 18201 | 81°F |
| Holmes | 19043 | 77°F |
| Houtzdale | 16651 | 78°F |
| Huntingdon | 16652 | 78°F |
| Indiana | 15701 | 78°F |
| Johnstown | 15901 | 78°F |
| Lancaster | 17573 | 77°F |
| Lebanon | 17042 | 81°F |
| Lehigh Valley | 18001 | 77°F |
| Levittown | 19054 | 77°F |
| Mckeesport | 15131 | 85°F* |
| Meadville | 16335 | 77°F* |
| Mechanicsburg | 17050 | 81°F |
| Media | 19063 | 77°F |
| New Castle | 16101 | 79°F* |
| New Kensington | 15068 | 81°F* |
| New Wilmington | 16142 | 78°F* |
| Norristown | 19401 | 77°F |
| North Wales | 19454 | 77°F |
| Olyphant | 18447 | 79°F* |
| Philadelphia | 19019 | 77°F |
| Pittsburgh | 15201 | 87°F* |
| Pittston | 18640 | 81°F |
| Pottstown | 19464 | 77°F |
| Reading | 19601 | 77°F |
| Scranton | 18501 | 81°F |
| Somerset | 15501 | 75°F |
| Southeastern | 19397 | 77°F |
| State College | 16801 | 78°F |
| Valley Forge | 19481 | 77°F |
| Warminster | 18974 | 77°F |
| Warren | 16365 | 75°F* |
| Warrendale | 15086 | 81°F* |
| Wayne | 19080 | 77°F |
| West Chester | 19380 | 77°F |
| West Mifflin | 15122 | 84°F* |
| Wilkes Barre | 18701 | 81°F |
| Williamsport | 17701 | 81°F |
| York | 17401 | 81°F |
Modeled estimate from Open-Meteo where no monitoring station is within 75 miles; all other readings are measured at USDA and NOAA stations.
Lawn Care Timing Guides for Pennsylvania
- Summer Lawn Dormancy: Keep Cool-Season Grass Alive in Heat
Cool-season grass slows once 2-inch soil sustains 75°F and goes dormant near 85°F.
- When to Apply Grub Control: The 65-70°F Soil Window
Apply preventive grub control (chlorantraniliprole or imidacloprid) before eggs hatch, when 2-4 inch soil holds 65-70°F: late June through July in most regions.
- Lawn Fungus by Temperature: Brown Patch, Dollar Spot & More
Brown patch and Pythium strike when humid nights hold above 68°F on lush, over-fertilized turf; dollar spot, red thread, and rust hit slow-growing lawns at 60-85°F.
- Grass Seed Germination Soil Temperature by Species
The soil temperature each grass species needs to germinate, from 15+ university extensions: tall fescue and perennial ryegrass 68-86°F, Kentucky bluegrass 59-86°F, fine fescue 59-77°F, cool-season 50°F trigger, warm-season 65°F.
Soil Temperature FAQ for Pennsylvania
What is the current soil temperature in Pennsylvania?
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Pennsylvania is 79°F, based on 3 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 77°F to 81°F depending on location and elevation.
When should I apply pre-emergent in Pennsylvania?
Apply pre-emergent herbicide when soil at 2 inches reaches 55°F for several consecutive days. Timing varies across Pennsylvania, so check your city's page for station-specific readings and the pre-emergent timing recommendation.
When can I plant grass seed in Pennsylvania?
Cool-season grasses (fescue, bluegrass) can be seeded when soil holds between 50 and 65°F. Warm-season grasses (bermuda, zoysia) need soil above 65°F. Timing varies by location, so check your city's planting window for the dates specific to your area.