Honestly, if you were hoping for a mild stretch to get through the rest of January, Philadelphia is about to give you a pretty rude awakening. We've spent the last few days dodging some icy spots and dealing with that biting northwest wind, but things are getting way more serious. It’s that classic Philly winter vibe where one minute it’s just gray and drizzly, and the next you’re digging out your heavy-duty parka because the "real feel" just plummeted off a cliff.
The 10 day weather for philadelphia looks less like a standard forecast and more like a test of your home's insulation. We are looking at a sustained Arctic push that is going to keep temperatures well below the freezing mark for a significant chunk of the week.
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What’s Actually Happening with the 10 Day Weather for Philadelphia
Today, Saturday, January 17, is basically the "messy" start to this whole saga. We’ve got a mix of rain and snow with a high of 38°F and a low of 31°F. It’s slushy. It’s annoying. But by tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, the transition to a true cold snap begins. Expect snow showers throughout the day with a high of 34°F and the temperature crashing down to 19°F overnight.
If you think that’s cold, just wait until Tuesday. Tuesday, January 20, is currently projected to be the coldest day of the season so far. We are looking at a daytime high of only 22°F and a bone-chilling low of 13°F.
Wait. 13 degrees? Yeah.
That is not "light jacket" weather. That is "check on your elderly neighbors and keep the pets inside" weather.
Breaking Down the Daily Numbers
- Monday, Jan 19 (MLK Day): Mostly sunny but deceptive. High of 34°F and a low of 16°F. Great for a brisk walk, bad if you forget your gloves.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: The "Arctic Peak." High 22°F, Low 13°F. Brutally cold.
- Wednesday, Jan 21: Mostly cloudy with a high of 36°F, but the low stays stubborn at 13°F.
- Thursday, Jan 22: A tiny bit of relief. We might actually hit 42°F. It’ll feel like a heatwave compared to Tuesday, but don't get used to it.
- Friday, Jan 23: Back down to a high of 31°F and a low of 24°F.
The end of the 10-day window is when the snow chances pick back up. Next Saturday, January 24, has snow in the forecast with a high of 33°F. Following that, the temperatures dive again. By Tuesday, January 27, we are looking at a high of 17°F and a low of 9°F. Yes, single digits.
Why Philadelphia Winters Are Getting Weirder
It’s kinda fascinating if you’re a weather nerd. According to recent reports from the National Weather Service and NOAA, this winter's pattern is heavily influenced by a weak La Niña that's struggling to decide what it wants to do.
Usually, La Niña means warmer and drier for the Mid-Atlantic. But this year, we are seeing these "displaced polar vortex" events. Basically, the cold air that's supposed to stay way up north is leaking down the coast.
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The Old Farmer’s Almanac and local experts like the team at CBS Philadelphia have been warning about this "freeze-thaw" cycle. One day it's 40 and raining, the next the ground is a sheet of ice because the temp dropped 20 degrees in four hours. It’s the worst of both worlds.
Survival Tips for the Single-Digit Stretch
Look, we’ve all been through Philly winters before, but a low of 9 degrees requires some actual prep.
First off, drip your faucets. Seriously. When we hit those 11°F and 9°F lows toward the end of the month, your pipes are at risk. A tiny trickle of water can save you a $2,000 plumbing bill.
Secondly, watch out for the wind. The wind is coming mostly from the West and Southwest at speeds between 9 mph and 16 mph. That doesn't sound like much, but when it's 17 degrees out, that wind chill makes it feel like sub-zero.
Salt Early, Not Late
If you see that 45% chance of snow for tomorrow or the 25% chance for next Saturday, salt your sidewalk before the sun goes down. Once that temp hits the teens, the salt takes way longer to work, and you'll just end up with "black ice" that's impossible to see.
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Check Your Car Battery
Extreme cold kills batteries that are already on their last legs. If your car sounded a little "sluggish" starting this morning, it probably won't start at all on Tuesday morning when it's 13 degrees. Get it tested now.
The 10 day weather for philadelphia is basically telling us that winter has finally arrived in earnest. It’s going to be a long, dry, and very cold stretch with a few snowy surprises mixed in.
Stay warm, keep the scrapers in the car, and maybe stock up on some hot cocoa. You're gonna need it.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Drip your faucets on Monday night and the following Monday to prevent pipe freezes during the 13°F and 9°F lows.
- Verify your car’s antifreeze levels and battery health before the Tuesday morning "Arctic Peak."
- Prepare a "cold bag" for your car containing a blanket, shovel, and extra gloves in case of a breakdown during sub-freezing hours.