Honestly, if you looked out the window this morning in Philly and thought about going back to sleep, nobody would blame you. It’s one of those classic mid-January days where the sky looks like a wet wool blanket and the air feels like a damp sponge.
Right now, the weather in Philadelphia is sitting at a crisp 33°F.
It’s that awkward temperature where the atmosphere can't quite decide if it wants to be a winter wonderland or just a giant puddle. We’re currently seeing a messy mix of rain and snow. It’s not the picturesque, fluffy stuff that makes for great Instagram photos; it’s the slushy, heavy grit that ruins your shoes and makes the Schuylkill Expressway a nightmare.
The Nitty-Gritty of Today’s Forecast
While the thermometer says 33°F, the real story is in the moisture. Humidity is pegged at a heavy 95%, which is why that cold feels like it’s seeping right into your bones. There’s a 53% chance of precipitation continuing through the immediate window, specifically in the form of snow.
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The wind is almost non-existent—just a 1 mph puff from the northeast.
In some ways, the lack of wind is a mercy. Without a breeze, we aren't dealing with a brutal wind chill, but the stillness makes the "rain and snow" condition feel even more localized and heavy.
What to Expect for the Rest of Sunday, January 18
If you're planning to head out to Reading Terminal or catch a late breakfast in Fishtown, keep the umbrella and the boots handy. We’re looking at a high of 35°F today, which isn't much of a climb from where we are now.
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Basically, we are stuck in the "slush zone."
The clouds are going to hang around all day. We’ve got a 95% chance of snow during the daylight hours, with accumulations expected to land somewhere between 1 to 3 inches. It’s enough to make the sidewalks slippery but probably won't be enough for a full-blown snow day.
The Evening Shift: A Sharp Drop is Coming
Things get a bit more serious once the sun goes down. While the daytime is all about the slush, the nighttime is all about the freeze.
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- The temperature is going to bottom out at 23°F.
- That 12-degree drop means all the slush on the roads from this afternoon is going to turn into a sheet of ice.
- The wind picks up slightly to 9 mph from the north, bringing in a much drier, colder air mass.
- The chance of snow drops to 35% after dark, and the sky is actually expected to clear out.
By the time you wake up tomorrow morning, the "weather in Philadelphia" will look completely different. We’ll trade the gray, snowy gloom for clear skies, but it’ll be significantly colder.
Driving and Walking Precautions
Local experts, including the folks over at CBS Philadelphia and the National Weather Service, are already flagging "slippery untreated surfaces." If you’re walking the dog or heading to the store, watch out for the black ice that forms under the slush.
The northeast wind we have right now is light, but as it shifts north and intensifies tonight, it’s going to feel a lot more like "real" winter.
Actionable Tips for Philadelphians Today
- Salt your walk now: Don't wait for the temperature to hit 23°F tonight. Getting some salt down while it's still 33°F and slushy will prevent that 1-3 inches of accumulation from bonding to your sidewalk.
- Check your wipers: This heavy, wet mix is a workout for old wiper blades. If they're streaking now, they'll be useless when the temps drop and things get crusty.
- Footwear choice: Skip the suede. Between the 95% humidity and the rain-snow mix, anything that isn't waterproof is going to be soaked in minutes.
- Travel light: If you don't have to be on the Blue Route or I-95 during the transition from afternoon slush to evening freeze, stay home. The "part 2" of this system often catches drivers off guard when the wet roads suddenly crystallize.
Keep an eye on the sky; the clearing tonight will be a nice break, but you'll definitely need the heavy coat for the Monday morning commute.