Honestly, if you've spent more than a week in Philly during January, you know the drill. One day you’re walking down Chestnut Street thinking the worst of winter is over, and the next, a "Next Weather Alert" is screaming at you from every screen in the city. Right now, as we sit on January 16, 2026, we are staring down the barrel of a classic Philadelphia mid-winter stretch.
It's cold. Like, actually cold.
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The current situation is basically a standoff between a few sunny breaks and an incoming Arctic blast that’s scheduled to make your morning commute feel like a trek through the tundra. Today, we’re looking at a high of 36°F with some decent sun, but don’t let that fool you. The wind is coming out of the west at about 11 mph, which keeps that "real feel" firmly in the 20s.
The Philadelphia 14 day weather forecast: A Game of Two Halves
If you're trying to plan anything—be it a trip to the Art Museum or just figuring out if you need to salt your sidewalk—the next two weeks are gonna be a bit of a roller coaster.
Tomorrow, Saturday the 17th, things get messy. We're expecting a rain and snow mix with a high of 42°F. That’s that classic Philly "slush weather" where it’s not quite pretty enough for a postcard but just wet enough to ruin your boots. The humidity is jumping up to 62%, so it’s going to feel damp and heavy.
Then comes Sunday.
Sunday, January 18, brings snow showers and a high that drops back down to 36°F. We're looking at about a 35% chance of precipitation during the day. It’s the kind of day where you just stay inside and order a cheesesteak.
The Deep Freeze (January 19 - January 21)
This is the part of the Philadelphia 14 day weather forecast where things get serious. Monday, which is MLK Day, is going to be beautiful but brutal. We’ve got clear skies and sun, but the low is plummeting to 15°F.
And Tuesday? Tuesday is the "Next Weather Alert" day for a reason.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: Sunny but a high of only 21°F.
- Wind Chill: Expect it to feel near zero in the morning.
- Low: Dropping back to 15°F overnight.
Basically, if you don't have a heavy parka, now is the time to find one. This is the coldest air of the season so far. It’s that dry, biting cold that makes your face hurt the second you step out of the house.
Will We Actually Get Real Snow?
The question everyone asks. According to the latest models from the National Weather Service and local experts like Andrew Kozak, there’s a lot of "uncertainty" (meteorologist-speak for "we aren't sure yet").
Wednesday and Thursday (Jan 21-22) show more snow chances. Thursday the 22nd has a 35% chance of snow with a high of 36°F. The American models are hinting at a potential coastal storm, but others keep it offshore. It's the typical Philly weather drama—will it be a dusting or a "shut down the city" event? Most likely, we're looking at light amounts, but keep an eye on the radar.
By the time we hit the weekend of January 24, we see a slight "warm-up" to 39°F, but that’s followed immediately by another drop on Sunday the 25th to a high of 27°F and a low of 19°F.
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What This Means for Your Plans
If you're visiting or living here, late January is historically our peak snow season. The Old Farmer’s Almanac actually predicted a "mild" winter for the Atlantic Corridor, but as we’re seeing, "mild" doesn’t mean you won't freeze your tail off in late January.
- Layers are non-negotiable: You’ll need them for the 40-degree Saturday and the 20-degree Tuesday.
- Watch the Ice: Those Tuesday morning commutes after the weekend slush are going to be treacherous.
- Plumbing Check: With lows hitting 15°F on Monday and Tuesday, make sure your pipes are okay if you’re in one of those drafty older rowhomes.
The back half of the month (Jan 26-30) looks to stay chilly, with highs hovering in the late 20s and early 30s. It’s consistent, if nothing else. Expect mostly cloudy skies and those biting northwest winds that Philadelphians know all too well.
Actionable Steps for the Next 14 Days
Don't get caught off guard by the sudden shifts.
- Check your salt supply today: You don't want to be the person at Home Depot on Saturday night when the freezing rain hits.
- Plan for indoor activities on Jan 20: It is going to be dangerously cold for extended outdoor exposure.
- Monitor the Jan 22-25 window: This is the most likely timeframe for any accumulation that might actually stick.
Basically, stay warm, keep the scrapers in the car, and maybe keep the contact info for a local plumber handy just in case those 15-degree nights get rowdy. Winter in Philly is finally here for real.