If you woke up in Philly today and thought about leaving the heavy parka in the closet, you aren't alone. It feels weirdly nice out for mid-January. Honestly, it’s one of those "fake spring" mornings that usually happens right before the sky decides to get mean.
The weather in philadelphia pa today is a classic tale of two halves. We are currently sitting in a temporary pocket of mild air that has pushed temperatures into the 50s. If you’re grabbing lunch at Reading Terminal or walking the dog through Rittenhouse, it’s going to feel like a solid win. But don't get too comfortable. This warmth is basically the appetizer for a messy, colder system that's timing its arrival perfectly for the evening commute and late-night hours.
What’s Actually Happening Outside Right Now?
Right now, the city is under a blanket of "considerable clouds." That’s the official meteorologist way of saying it’s gray, but not necessarily gloomy yet. The high for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, is expected to top out around 52°F to 55°F. Compared to the bitter winds we've had lately, that feels like a Caribbean vacation.
The wind is coming out of the south/southwest at about 8 to 10 mph. It’s a gentle breeze that’s doing the heavy lifting of keeping us warm. However, humidity is creeping up—it's sitting around 56% to 61% depending on which neighborhood you’re in. That’s why the air feels a bit "heavy" or damp, even though the sun is trying (and mostly failing) to peek through.
The Evening Pivot: Rain, Slush, and the "Arctic Blast"
Here is where it gets tricky. If you have plans tonight, keep an umbrella and a heavier coat in the car. A cold front is moving in fast.
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Starting around 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM, we’re looking at scattered showers. It’ll start as a simple rain or drizzle. But as the clock ticks toward midnight, the temperature is going to crater. We’re dropping down to a low of 34°F to 39°F inside the city.
Will it snow in Philadelphia tonight?
The short answer: Maybe a little, but don't buy out the milk and bread just yet.
As that cold air rushes in, the rain is expected to mix with or change over to snow for a few hours late tonight—specifically between 3:00 AM and 5:00 AM Thursday.
- In Center City: You might see some flakes, but the ground is too warm from today's 50-degree temps for anything to stick to the roads.
- The Suburbs (Bucks and Montco): You have a better shot at a coating or maybe an inch on the grass and car windshields.
- The Mountains: North and west of the city, they might actually see a legit inch of accumulation.
By the time you wake up on Thursday morning, the precipitation will be gone. The real story won't be the "snow," but the "flash freeze" potential on bridges and overpasses as the temperature drops below freezing.
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The NEXT Weather Alert: Why Friday is the Real Problem
If you think today's weather is confusing, wait until Friday. Local forecasters, including the teams at CBS Philadelphia and the National Weather Service in Mt. Holly, have already issued NEXT Weather Alerts for Thursday and Friday.
The cold front crossing the Delaware Valley tonight is dragging an Arctic air mass behind it. Even though the sun will come back out on Thursday, it’s going to be "deceptive sun." Highs will struggle to get above 33°F.
Friday morning is going to be brutal. We are looking at a low of 19°F. When you add in the gusty winds behind the front, the wind chill—what it actually feels like on your face—could be in the single digits.
Survival Guide for Today’s Weather Shift
Since we are dealing with a 20-degree temperature swing in less than 12 hours, you've gotta be smart about how you handle the day.
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1. The Layering Strategy
Wear a light sweater or fleece today so you don't overheat while it's 53°F. But—and this is the important part—have your "big" winter coat ready for when you head home. The wind is going to shift from a gentle southern breeze to a biting northwesterly wind by late evening.
2. Watch the Roads Tonight
The rain-to-snow transition is usually a recipe for black ice. Since it’s been relatively mild, the main roads should be okay, but side streets in Manayunk or the hilly parts of Chestnut Hill could get slick once the sun goes down and the mercury drops.
3. Check Your Tire Pressure
Extreme temperature swings like this (55°F down to 19°F in 48 hours) are the primary reason your "low tire pressure" light turns on. The air inside your tires contracts in the cold. It’s worth a quick check today while it’s still comfortable outside.
Looking Ahead: The 7-Day Outlook
After we survive this "Arctic blast" over the next 48 hours, things stay pretty seasonal and cold.
- Saturday: A bit of a rebound. High of 42°F. It’ll be mostly cloudy, and we might see a mix of snow and rain again late in the day.
- Sunday: Back to the freezer. High of 34°F.
- MLK Day (Monday): Bitterly cold for any outdoor service events. High of 31°F and a low of 19°F.
The weather in philadelphia pa today is basically a reminder that January in the Northeast never plays fair. We get these little teases of spring just to make the following cold snap feel even worse. Enjoy the 50s while they last this afternoon, because by tomorrow morning, the Philadelphia winter is coming back with a vengeance.
Next Steps for Philadelphians:
Check your outdoor pipes today. If you haven't covered them yet, do it before the 19-degree low hits on Friday. Also, make sure your pets have a warm place to stay tonight as the rain turns to slush. If you’re commuting early Thursday morning, give yourself an extra 10 minutes to defrost the windshield—even if there isn't "snow," there will definitely be ice.