Philadelphia weather is a mood. Honestly, if you live in the 19120 zip code—covering Olney and Feltonville—you know that the "official" reading at PHL Airport rarely tells the whole story of your block. Right now, it’s a crisp 32°F out there, and with a light 6 mph wind coming from the south, it feels more like 26°F. It's cloudy, quiet, and very much mid-winter in the city.
The Saturday Slush Situation
If you're looking at the sky today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, don't let the clouds fool you into thinking it's just a dry, gray day. We’re looking at a high of 37°F and a low of 31°F. Here is the catch: there is a 68% chance of precipitation during the day. We are talking about that classic Philly "rain and snow" mix. It’s the kind of weather that turns the sidewalks into a slushy mess by noon.
Tonight, things transition into light snow with a 35% chance, so expect a thin white coating to settle over the parked cars.
Why 19120 Feels Different
You've probably noticed that when the news talks about "Philadelphia," they are looking at a thermometer near the Delaware River. But 19120 is inland, tucked between Tacony Creek Park and the concrete heat islands of North Broad. This creates a weird microclimate. In the summer, the lack of heavy tree cover in some of the more industrial pockets makes the humidity—which averages 64% in July—feel like a literal weighted blanket.
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In the winter, the park can actually funnel colder air into the northern edges of the zip code. While the airport might stay just above freezing, Olney often dips those extra two degrees that turn rain into ice.
A Look at the Week Ahead
If you're planning your commute or wondering when to salt the front steps, here is the raw data for the next few days:
- Sunday, Jan 18: Light snow continues into the day. High of 34°F, low of 20°F. It’s going to get much colder at night, so anything wet will freeze solid.
- Monday, Jan 19: Sunny but biting. High of 34°F, but the low drops to 18°F.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: This is the coldest day in the immediate forecast. High of only 24°F and a low of 15°F.
- Wednesday, Jan 21: A slight "thaw" to 36°F, though it’ll be mostly cloudy.
The Realities of Philly Seasons
Most people think Philadelphia is just "cold in winter, hot in summer." That’s a massive oversimplification. We actually have a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa), which basically means we get the worst of both worlds.
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In January, the city is overcast about 53% of the time. It is statistically the cloudiest month of the year. You aren't imagining the "winter blues"—the sun is literally missing half the time. Compare that to July, where the average high hits 86°F, but the humidity makes it feel like 95°F.
And let’s talk about "Indian Summers." It’s common to see a random 75-degree day in mid-October that has everyone in Olney switching their ACs back on for 48 hours before a cold front slams back in.
Handling the 19120 Elements
Living in this part of town means being prepared for specific local issues.
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- The Slush Factor: Since 19120 has many narrow streets, snow plows struggle. If the forecast says "rain and snow mix" (like it does for today), move your car to a primary road if you can, or expect to be "slushed in" by the morning.
- Basement Checks: Philadelphia gets about 41.4 inches of rain a year. With the clay-heavy soil in the Olney area, heavy rain—especially the thunderstorms we get in July—can lead to quick basement seepage. Keep an eye on your floor drains during those summer downpours.
- The Wind Chill: March is actually the windiest month here, averaging 17 mph. When that wind whips down the North Philly corridors, the "feels like" temperature can be ten degrees lower than what your phone says.
Actionable Next Steps
Basically, get your shovel ready for tonight, but don't expect a blizzard. We're looking at a coating to an inch, tops.
- Salt your steps by 4 PM today: The temperature will hover near freezing, and with a 35% chance of snow tonight, things will get slippery fast.
- Check your tire pressure: The drop from 31°F today to 15°F on Tuesday will likely trigger your "low air" light.
- Layer up for Tuesday: That 15°F low is no joke; it’s one of the coldest nights we’ve seen so far this season.
Stay warm, Philly. It’s going to be a long, gray week, but we’re through the worst of the "dark months" soon enough.