Honestly, if you've spent any real time in Montgomery County, you know that the weather in Willow Grove PA is basically a mood ring for the East Coast. One day you're scraping ice off a windshield at 6:00 AM, and by lunchtime, you’re wondering if you can get away with just a light hoodie while grabbing a sandwich near the mall. It’s that weird, humid continental mix that makes packing a suitcase—or even just a car—feel like a game of high-stakes poker.
Today, January 16, 2026, is a perfect example of that biting PA winter. Right now, it’s a crisp 22°F outside. But don't let that number fool you. With the wind coming out of the west at 15 mph, the "feels like" temperature is actually a staggering 9°F. It’s the kind of cold that finds the gap between your scarf and your jacket and reminds you exactly why January is the boss of winter around here.
The January Reality Check
January in Willow Grove is technically the coldest month of the year, and today is staying true to form. We’re looking at a high of 33°F and a low dipping back down to 21°F tonight. The sky is staying mostly clear for the daylight hours—yay for vitamin D—but don't expect it to actually feel warm.
Most people think PA winters are just endless snow, but the data tells a different story. In reality, we deal with a lot of "nuisance" weather. Only about a 10% chance of snow today and tonight, which in local speak means maybe some flurries that disappear the second they hit the pavement.
Why the Wind Matters More Than the Temp
You’ve probably noticed that the wind in Willow Grove feels different than it does in, say, Philadelphia. Because we’re tucked into that suburban pocket of the Atlantic Corridor, the west winds tend to whip across the flatter landscape. Today’s 15 mph gusts are a prime example. They drive the humidity—which is at a comfortable 44%—right into your bones.
👉 See also: Why People That Died on Their Birthday Are More Common Than You Think
If you're heading out to the Willow Grove Park Mall or just walking the dog at Upper Moreland Park, you’re going to want layers. Forget the heavy wool coat on its own; you need a windbreaker layer over a fleece. That 9°F wind chill isn't a suggestion.
Breaking Down the Seasons: What to Actually Expect
People always ask when the "best" time to visit is, or when they can finally stop checking the radar every ten minutes. Here’s the real talk on the seasonal shifts.
Spring: The Great Mud Fest
By the time March hits, we start seeing highs in the low 50s, but that’s also when the rain starts. Willow Grove gets about 48 inches of rain a year. May is actually one of our wettest months. It’s a messy transition. You’ll see people in shorts when it hits 60°F, even if there’s still a pile of dirty snow in the corner of the Giant parking lot.
Summer: Soup Season (The Air Kind)
July is the hottest month, with an average high of 86°F. But it’s the humidity that gets you. The "muggy" season lasts from late May to mid-September. It’s that thick, heavy air where you feel like you’re wearing the atmosphere. If you’re planning an outdoor party, always have a "Plan B" for those 4:00 PM thunderstorms that seem to pop up out of nowhere.
✨ Don't miss: Marie Kondo The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: What Most People Get Wrong
Fall: The Sweet Spot
September is, hands down, the best weather in Willow Grove PA. The sky is clear or sunny about 63% of the time, and the humidity finally takes a hike. Highs sit around 77°F-80°F. It’s the only time of year where the weather actually behaves itself for more than 48 hours.
Local Knowledge vs. The Weather App
Kinda let's be real—the weather station at the old Naval Air Station (now the Horsham Air Guard Station) is the gold standard for our local readings. A lot of generic apps pull from Philly International Airport, which is significantly further south and closer to the river. That can lead to a 3- to 5-degree difference. If the airport says rain, Willow Grove might be getting sleet.
We also have a history of weird weather events. From the 1996 "Winter Flood" to the more recent wind events in 2025, Montgomery County sits in a spot where storms like to pick up speed. Even though we’re inland, we still feel the remnants of tropical systems that crawl up the coast in late summer.
What to Pack and How to Prep
If you’re living here or just passing through, here’s the survival kit for the current conditions:
🔗 Read more: Why Transparent Plus Size Models Are Changing How We Actually Shop
- Check the "Feels Like" religiously. The actual temperature is a lie in January.
- Keep a shovel in the trunk. Even a 10% chance of snow in PA can turn into a localized "dusting" that makes the hills on 611 a nightmare.
- Humidity is the enemy. In winter, it makes the cold feel wetter; in summer, it makes the heat feel like a sauna. Invest in good moisture-wicking base layers.
The most important thing to remember about the weather in Willow Grove PA is that it’s rarely "average." While the stats say we should be at 33°F today, the 15 mph wind and 9°F chill are what actually dictate your day.
Next Steps for Today
Since it's going to stay clear but freezing, keep your outdoor activities short. If you're driving, watch for black ice in shaded spots near the Pennypack Creek areas—the low of 21°F tonight means anything that melted today will be a skating rink by morning. Check your tire pressure too; these 20-degree drops usually trigger those annoying "low air" sensors.
Stay warm out there.