Honestly, if you were planning on a dry weekend in Philly, you might want to rethink those outdoor plans. We’re looking at a messy mix of light rain, snow showers, and that bone-chilling dampness that only the Delaware Valley can deliver. It isn’t a "stock up on milk and bread" kind of blizzard, but it’s definitely "don’t wear your nice suede boots" weather.
Right now, it's about 37°F outside and cloudy, but it feels more like 31°F thanks to a southwest wind. Basically, it’s cold enough to remind you it’s mid-January.
Philadelphia Weather This Weekend: The Saturday Slush
Saturday is going to be the trickier of the two days. We’re looking at a high of 39°F, which in Philly terms means anything falling from the sky is going to have an identity crisis.
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During the day, expect light rain. There’s a massive 83% chance of precipitation, and while the "type" is technically listed as snow in some models, that 39-degree high usually translates to a cold, biting drizzle or wet slush on the windshield. If you're heading out to the MLK Day donation drives or hitting up Dilworth Park, keep an umbrella handy.
By Saturday night, things get a bit more "wintery." The temperature dips to a low of 33°F. This is when that rain is expected to transition into a rain and snow mix. Since the ground is still relatively warm from the daytime "high," don’t expect a winter wonderland on the roads just yet. It’s mostly just going to be wet and annoying.
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Sunday’s Snow Shower Potential
If you’re a fan of the white stuff, Sunday, January 18, is your better bet, though it's still not a major event. The high is only hitting 34°F—significantly colder than Saturday.
- Morning/Daytime: There’s a 35% chance of snow showers. It won’t be a constant downpour of flakes, but more like those "blink and you'll miss it" bursts.
- Evening: The clouds start to break up, leading to a partly cloudy night.
- The Real Chill: Sunday night is when the real Arctic air moves in. We’re talking a low of 22°F. Any slush left over from the day is going to freeze solid, so Monday morning commuters should watch out for black ice.
What’s Actually Happening Out There?
If you're wondering why we aren't getting a foot of snow, it's all about the "close brush." There’s a coastal system moving nearby, but for the I-95 corridor, it’s mostly just bringing us the fringe effects. Places like the Lehigh Valley might see a couple of inches, but for us in the city, we’re looking at a coating to maybe an inch if we get lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you feel about shoveling).
The wind is staying relatively calm at about 5 to 8 mph, swinging from the southwest on Saturday to the northwest on Sunday. That northwest shift is what brings in the colder, drier air for the start of the work week.
Making the Most of a Messy Weekend
You can still have a decent time despite the Philadelphia weather this weekend. The Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink at Dilworth Park is still running 90-minute sessions, and honestly, skating in a light snow shower is kind of the vibe people pay for. If you’d rather stay dry, the Philadelphia Auto Show is happening at the Convention Center—it’s 100% indoors and a great way to kill four hours without checking a radar.
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For those honoring the MLK holiday, the Museum of the American Revolution has special programming all weekend. It’s a solid way to dodge the Saturday rain while doing something meaningful.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your wiper fluid today; that Saturday salt-and-slush spray will gunk up your windshield fast. If you have outdoor plants that aren't fans of the low 20s, bring them in or cover them before you go to bed Sunday night. Finally, if you're driving Sunday night or Monday morning, give yourself an extra ten minutes for the defrost cycle—that 22°F low is no joke.