If you stepped outside this morning in Philly and thought, "Hey, this isn't so bad," you aren't alone. Honestly, it’s downright decent for January. But don't let the thermometer fool you into leaving your heavy coat at home. The weather for today in philadelphia pa is a classic Mid-Atlantic bait-and-switch.
We are looking at a high of 53°F this afternoon. That’s nearly ten degrees above the average for mid-January. It’s the kind of day where you might see people jogging along the Schuylkill River Trail in just a sweatshirt, and for a few hours, it’ll feel like we dodged the winter bullet.
But there’s a massive cold front screaming toward the Delaware Valley.
The afternoon calm before the Arctic storm
By midday, the sky is going to look pretty moody. Expect thickening clouds to roll in, blocking out any chance of a lunch-break tan. While the 53-degree peak happens in the early afternoon, the humidity is sitting around 56%, making the air feel a bit heavy and damp.
👉 See also: What Really Happened With the Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz
South winds are sticking around at about 8 mph for now. It’s breezy, but not "blow your umbrella inside out" breezy—at least not yet.
Here is the thing: the transition tonight is going to be aggressive. Meteorologists at CBS Philadelphia and the National Weather Service are tracking a front that is basically an "Arctic blast" in waiting. If you’re heading out to a Sixers game or just grabbing dinner in Fishtown, the walk back to your car is going to feel significantly different than the walk in.
The timeline for tonight's rain and snow
Rain showers are expected to develop in the early evening. Because the air is still relatively "warm" from our afternoon high, it starts as liquid. However, as that cold air sweeps through, things get messy.
✨ Don't miss: How Much Did Trump Add to the National Debt Explained (Simply)
- 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Light rain becomes more consistent. Temperatures start a slow slide.
- 11:00 PM - 2:00 AM: This is the window where the "mix" happens. We’re talking rain turning into wet snow or sleet as the temp drops toward the overnight low of 40°F (and eventually much lower by tomorrow morning).
- Daybreak Thursday: Most of the moisture should be gone, but the ground will be damp and freezing.
Total accumulations? Don't go buying a brand-new shovel just yet. Most of the city will see little to no accumulation—maybe a coating on the grass or car windshields. If you live "north and west" (looking at you, Bucks and Montgomery counties), you might see a legitimate inch of slush.
Why Philadelphia weather is behaving this way
January in Philly is usually a battleground between the lingering warmth of the Atlantic and the freezing dry air from Canada. Right now, Canada is winning the long game.
Even though 53°F sounds cozy, it’s being pushed out by a high-pressure system that’s going to drop our daytime highs into the 30s for the rest of the week. The "Next Weather Alert" isn't just for today’s rain; it’s for the bitter cold arriving Thursday and Friday.
🔗 Read more: The Galveston Hurricane 1900 Orphanage Story Is More Tragic Than You Realized
Friday morning is predicted to have wind chills in the single digits. That makes today’s weather feel like a cruel joke.
What you should actually wear today
Since you've got a 15-degree swing and a rain-to-snow transition, layering is the only way to survive without being miserable.
- The Base: A light long-sleeve tee. You'll want this when the 53-degree warmth hits.
- The Middle: A hoodie or a fleece.
- The Shell: A waterproof jacket or a parka. Seriously, even though it’s 50 out, that evening rain is going to be cold. Wet and 40 degrees is arguably more miserable than 20 and dry.
- The Feet: Stick with waterproof boots. The slushy mix late tonight will make sneakers a regretful choice by the time you're heading home.
The long-range reality check
Looking past today, the weather for today in philadelphia pa is the last gasp of "mild" we’re going to see for a while. MLK Day on Monday is looking brutal, with a high of only 31°F and a low of 19°F.
The Almanac and local experts like Andrew Kozak have been hinting at this pattern for weeks. We’ve had a relatively dry start to 2026, but this cold front officially opens the door for more frequent "clipper" systems that bring quick bursts of snow.
Actionable insights for Philadelphians:
- Commuters: If you commute via SEPTA or the PATCO, keep an umbrella in your bag for the evening trip. The rain will be patchy but annoying.
- Homeowners: Check your outdoor spigots. With the "Arctic blast" hitting tomorrow, any hoses left attached might cause issues when the temp plunges into the 20s.
- Pet Owners: Enjoy the long walk this afternoon while the temps are in the 50s. By Friday, your dog’s paws are going to be hitting salt-covered, frozen pavement.
Basically, enjoy the 50s while they last. They won't. By the time you wake up tomorrow morning, the wind is going to be howling, and that 53-degree afternoon will feel like a distant memory. Stay dry tonight, and get the heavy coats out of the back of the closet—you’re going to need them for the foreseeable future.