So, if you’re living in Philadelphia right now, you already know the vibe. One minute you’re looking for your heavy puffer, and the next, you’re wondering if a light hoodie will do. Honestly, the weather in philly next week is looking like a classic mid-January mix—cold enough to remind you it's winter, but weirdly inconsistent.
We’re kicking things off this weekend with a bit of a mess. Saturday, January 17, is basically a "stay inside and order a hoagie" kind of day. We’ve got light rain during the day and a high of 38°F. But here's the kicker: there's an 82% chance of snow mixing in. Don't expect a winter wonderland just yet, though. It’s more of that slushy, grey Philly special that makes the sidewalks at Broad and Market a total disaster.
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The mid-week deep freeze is real
If you thought Saturday was chilly, just wait for Tuesday. We're looking at a high of only 24°F. That’s not "brisk"; that’s "my face hurts" weather.
The wind is coming out of the west at about 13 mph, which doesn't sound like much until you're standing on a SEPTA platform waiting for the Regional Rail. Monday and Tuesday will be sunny, sure, but don't let that blue sky fool you. The low on Tuesday night is hitting 16°F. It’s the kind of cold that makes you regret every time you complained about the humidity in July.
Wednesday stays pretty crisp with a high of 36°F, but the overnight transition into Thursday is where things get interesting. We’re expecting a mix of rain and snow Wednesday night, leading into some light snow on Thursday, January 22.
Breaking down the daily numbers
Basically, you’ve got to plan your layers. Here is the raw look at what the city is facing:
- Sunday (Jan 18): Snow showers likely in the morning. High of 34°F. It drops to a bone-chilling 20°F at night.
- Monday (Jan 19): Sunny but cold. High 35°F, low 19°F. Great for a walk if you’ve got wool socks.
- Tuesday (Jan 20): The coldest day of the week. High 24°F. Wear the big coat.
- Wednesday (Jan 21): Mostly sunny, high 36°F. Clouds roll in at night with a 35% chance of snow.
- Thursday (Jan 22): Light snow with a high of 41°F. It’ll probably turn to slush pretty fast.
Why Philly weather is so hard to predict
You've probably noticed that the forecast for the weather in philly next week seems to shift every time you refresh your phone. There’s a reason for that. We’re caught in this weird transition zone.
According to the National Weather Service data for the KPHL station, we’re dealing with a lot of moisture coming off the Atlantic hitting that cold Arctic air sliding down from Canada. It’s why one neighborhood in Manayunk might get an inch of snow while South Philly just gets a cold drizzle.
Also, the "feels like" temperature is the real enemy here. Even when the thermometer says 33°F, like it did early Saturday morning, the south wind can make it feel more like 28°F. Humidity is sitting around 58% to 71% this week, which adds that damp, "gets into your bones" feeling that Philly is famous for in January.
What about the rest of the month?
Looking further out, the Old Farmer’s Almanac and long-range models suggest we might see a slight "milder" turn toward the very end of January, but "mild" is relative. We’re talking maybe 40°F.
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The big concern for commuters is Thursday. With a 35% chance of snow and a high that actually climbs above freezing, the freeze-thaw cycle is going to be a nightmare for potholes. If you’re driving on Kelly Drive or the Schuylkill Expressway, keep an eye out for black ice on those overnight stretches when temperatures dip back into the 20s.
Real talk: How to prep
Honestly, just keep an ice scraper in the car. You're going to need it at least three times this week.
If you’re a runner or someone who spends a lot of time outside, Monday and Friday (Jan 23) are your best bets. Friday is looking sunny with a high of 34°F and much lower wind speeds—only about 6 mph from the west. It’ll feel much more manageable than the Tuesday deep freeze.
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- Check your pipes: With Tuesday hitting 16°F, it's not a bad idea to make sure your heat is consistent.
- Salt the walk: Wednesday night's rain/snow mix will freeze solid by Thursday morning.
- Layer up: The jump from 24°F on Tuesday to 41°F on Thursday is a big swing for the body to handle.
Don’t get caught off guard by the sunny skies on Monday. That’s usually when the coldest air settles in. Stay warm out there, grab an extra coffee, and maybe avoid the Schuykill if the snow starts sticking on Thursday.