Honestly, if you’ve lived in Philly for more than a week, you know the sky has a mind of its own. One minute you're grabbing a cheesesteak in a light jacket, and the next, you're digging your boots out of the hall closet because the "wintry mix" actually decided to stick.
Right now, we are staring down a Philadelphia weather five day forecast that is basically a crash course in Mid-Atlantic mood swings. It’s not just about "cold." It’s about that specific kind of Philly dampness that gets into your bones.
The Immediate Mess: Saturday and Sunday
Today, Saturday, January 17, we are dealing with a messy cocktail of rain and snow. The high is hitting 38°F, which is just warm enough to keep things slushy and annoying rather than pretty and powdery. We’ve got a 45% chance of snow during the day, dropping slightly to 40% tonight. If you're out near Broad Street, watch the sidewalks; that 31°F low tonight is going to turn all that daytime slush into a skating rink.
Sunday doesn't let up much.
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Expect snow showers with a high of 34°F. The humidity is sitting at a whopping 91%, so even though 34°F sounds manageable, it’s going to feel like the air is trying to freeze you from the inside out. By Sunday night, the sky finally clears, but the temperature craters to 20°F.
The Big Chill: Monday and Tuesday
Monday, January 19, looks deceptive. The sun is coming out. You’ll see a high of 34°F and might think, "Hey, maybe I don't need the heavy parka today."
Don't do it.
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The low is dropping to 18°F. With 13 mph winds coming from the southwest, that wind chill is going to be brutal.
But Tuesday? Tuesday is the one everyone is going to be talking about at the Wawa. We are looking at a high of only 24°F. That is a solid ten degrees colder than the rest of the week. The low hits 14°F. It’s the kind of day where your car takes five minutes to stop complaining when you turn the key.
Mid-Week Relief?
By Wednesday, January 21, things "warm up" back to 34°F. It’s partly sunny, and the humidity drops to 46%. It’ll feel significantly drier and crisper than the soggy start to the weekend.
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Philadelphia Weather Five Day Forecast Breakdown:
- Saturday: Slushy mix. High 38°F / Low 31°F.
- Sunday: Snow showers. High 34°F / Low 20°F.
- Monday: Sunny but deceptive. High 34°F / Low 18°F.
- Tuesday: Pure arctic air. High 24°F / Low 14°F.
- Wednesday: Dry and bright. High 34°F / Low 14°F.
People often get Philadelphia winters wrong by assuming it's either "snowing" or "not snowing." In reality, the 2026 season has been defined by these marginal temperature shifts. A two-degree difference is the gap between a wet commute and a three-inch accumulation.
The humidity we’re seeing this weekend (87-91%) is the real culprit. Dry cold is one thing, but damp cold at 32°F is a different beast entirely. It’s why the "feels like" temperature is currently hovering at 30°F even though the thermometer says 35°F.
If you’re planning your week, treat Tuesday like a "stay inside" day if you can. If you have to be out, cover your face. That 11 mph west wind at 24°F is no joke.
Actionable steps for the next 48 hours:
- Salt the steps now: With the low hitting 31°F tonight and 20°F tomorrow, anything wet will become ice.
- Check your tire pressure: These 20-degree swings (like Tuesday's 24°F high) will trigger your pressure sensors.
- Layer for dampness, not just cold: Waterproof shells are your friend through Sunday.