Honestly, if you’ve lived in Philly long enough, you know the drill. January is basically a month-long internal debate about whether you actually need to go outside or if the draft by the window is "adventure" enough. Right now, the ten day forecast Philadelphia PA is showing us exactly why the city has that gritty, cold-weather reputation.
We aren't just looking at a few snowflakes. We're looking at a genuine temperature roller coaster that’s going to make planning your commute—or even just a walk to the corner store for a hoagie—kinda complicated.
The Immediate Outlook: Slush and Shivers
Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, sets the tone. We’ve got a mix of rain and snow with a high of 39°F. It’s that classic Mid-Atlantic "winter mix" where it’s not quite pretty enough for a postcard but just wet enough to ruin your favorite boots. The southwest wind is kicking at 9 mph, so while it’s not a gale, that 33°F low tonight is going to feel plenty sharp.
Tomorrow isn't much of a reprieve. We’re looking at snow showers on Sunday with a high of 35°F. The real story, though, is the overnight drop to 23°F. If you have plans in Center City, dress like you're heading to the tundra.
Ten day forecast Philadelphia PA: A Deep Freeze is Coming
By Monday, the clouds finally decide to clear out. It’ll be sunny, but don't let the bright sky fool you. We’re hitting a high of only 36°F before the bottom falls out. Monday night drops to 19°F.
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Then comes Tuesday, January 20. This is the day you’ll want to stay inside.
The high is a measly 22°F. That’s it. With a low of 17°F and a 10 mph west wind, the wind chill is going to be brutal. If you're waiting for the Septa bus, you're going to feel every single degree of that deficit.
Mid-Week Shifts and More Flurries
Wednesday, January 21, brings a slight "warm-up"—if you can call a high of 37°F warm. It’ll be mostly cloudy, which is pretty much the standard Philly aesthetic for this time of year.
The humidity is sitting around 37%, so it’s going to feel very dry. Keep that moisturizer handy.
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By Thursday, January 22, the snow returns. We have a 35% chance of snow during both the day and night. The high will actually reach 40°F, which means we might see some of that snow turn into a heavy, wet slush by the afternoon before freezing back over when it hits 28°F at night.
Heading Into Next Weekend
The end of next week stays consistently chilly.
Friday (Jan 23) and Saturday (Jan 24) both hover around a high of 33°F to 35°F. We’ll see some "partly sunny" intervals, which is basically nature’s way of teasing us before another dip.
Sunday, January 25, sees the mercury drop again to a high of 28°F.
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By the time we hit Monday, January 26, we’re looking at 25°F for a high and 20°F for a low. It’s a relentless stretch of cold that doesn't seem to want to let go.
Survival Strategies for the Philadelphia Cold
Philly winters aren't just about the temperature; they're about the dampness and the wind tunnels created by the skyscrapers.
- The Salt Game: If you have a sidewalk to maintain, salt it early. Sunday’s snow showers followed by Monday’s 19°F low is a recipe for a literal ice rink.
- Layering is Life: Since we’re jumping between 22°F and 40°F over the next ten days, the "big coat" is mandatory, but you’ll want layers you can peel off if you're hitting a crowded shop or riding the Broad Street Line.
- Check Your Pipes: When we hit those sub-20 lows on Monday and Tuesday, make sure your heat is consistent. Nobody wants a burst pipe in South Philly on a Tuesday morning.
Weather in the Northeast is notoriously fickle, but the data right now is pretty firm on this cold snap. It’s not an "arctic blast" of historic proportions, but it’s a steady, grinding cold that defines a true Pennsylvania January. Basically, it’s time to lean into the soup, the indoor hobbies, and maybe finally finishing that show you started back in November.
Actionable Next Steps: Check your vehicle's tire pressure today, as the 20-degree drop between Saturday and Tuesday will likely trigger your "low pressure" sensor. Also, ensure you have a sturdy shovel and fresh rock salt ready before Thursday's forecasted snow.