Waking up to a Philly winter morning is always a bit of a gamble. One day you're scraping thick ice off your windshield on Broad Street, and the next you’re wondering if you actually need that heavy puffer coat for a walk through Rittenhouse. Honestly, the ten day weather forecast Philadelphia is looking like a classic mid-January rollercoaster, and if you’ve lived here long enough, you know that means staying on your toes.
Right now, as of Friday, January 16, 2026, we are sitting in a chilly pocket. The current temperature is a crisp 24°F, but with that 11 mph wind coming out of the west, it actually feels like 14°F. That’s the kind of cold that bites at your nose the second you step out of the house.
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The Immediate Outlook: Slush and Shivers
If you have plans for the weekend, you're going to want to keep an umbrella and some salt handy. Friday is starting out with some "peeks" of sun, hitting a high of 35°F, but the real story starts tonight. We’re looking at a 20% chance of a rain and snow mix as the sun goes down.
Saturday, January 17, actually gets a bit warmer—if you can call 42°F warm. But that "warmth" comes with a price. There is a 40% chance of rain and snow during the day. It’s likely to be that annoying, wet slush that makes the Schuylkill Expressway a nightmare. By Sunday, the high drops back to 35°F with light snow likely in the morning. Basically, it's a weekend for staying inside with a hot coffee and watching the Birds.
The Mid-Week Arctic Plunge
Monday, January 19, is when things get serious. While it'll be sunny, the temperature is going to bottom out at 15°F overnight. Monday also brings some stiff winds—about 16 mph from the southwest—which is going to make that 35°F high feel significantly colder.
Then comes Tuesday, January 20. This looks to be the coldest day of the stretch. We are looking at a high of only 21°F. Let that sink in. Even with the sun out, it’s going to be brutal. If you’re commuting, make sure your car battery is in good shape, because these kind of deep freezes are when they usually decide to give up the ghost.
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Looking Toward the End of the Week
As we move into Wednesday and Thursday (January 21-22), the temperatures "rebound" slightly back into the mid-30s.
- Wednesday: High of 36°F, mostly cloudy, with snow showers likely overnight.
- Thursday: High of 36°F again, but with a 35% chance of actual snow during the day.
- Friday: A bit quieter, partly sunny with a high of 32°F.
The trend seems to be "consistently cold with frequent flakes." We aren't seeing a massive blizzard in this ten day weather forecast Philadelphia, but rather a persistent dusting of snow and low-level grayness that defines a true Philly January.
Why the "Feels Like" Temp Matters More
Most people just look at the big number on their weather app. That's a mistake in this city. Because Philadelphia is tucked between the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlantic, our humidity and wind patterns create a "feels like" temperature that is often 10 degrees lower than the actual thermometer reading.
On Tuesday, when it's 21°F, the wind chill will likely hover in the single digits. This isn't just about comfort; it's about safety. Frostbite can start to set in on exposed skin in under 30 minutes when you get into these ranges.
Practical Steps for the Next Ten Days
You don't need to panic, but you should probably prepare. First, check your outdoor pipes. If you haven't insulated them yet, do it before Monday night’s 15°F drop.
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Keep a small bag of ice melt or even kitty litter in your trunk. With the rain-to-snow transitions we’re seeing on Saturday and Sunday, black ice is a very real threat on side streets that don't get as much sun.
Lastly, layer up properly. A single heavy coat usually isn't as effective as a base layer, a fleece, and then a windbreaker or shell. Since the wind is going to be a factor for most of next week, especially on Monday and Tuesday, blocking that air is more important than just having a thick sweater.
Stay warm out there. The end of January always feels long, but at least we're getting some sunny days mixed in with the flurries.