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Honestly, if you stepped outside in Philadelphia early this morning, you already know the deal. It is bracing. As of 4:43 AM on Friday, January 16, 2026, the current temp in philly is sitting at a crisp 25°F. But here is the thing: that number is a bit of a lie. Thanks to a persistent 11 mph wind coming out of the west, the actual "feels like" temperature—the one that matters when you're waiting for the Septa or walking the dog—is a much more aggressive 15°F.
It’s clear out there right now, which usually means the heat from the day just evaporated into the atmosphere overnight. We are definitely in the thick of a classic January cold snap.
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What to Expect for the Rest of Friday
The sun is going to try its best today. We’re looking at a partly sunny sky, but don't let the brightness trick you into leaving your heavy coat at home. We are only hitting a high of 36°F. When you factor in that 11 mph wind, it’s basically going to feel like it's freezing all day long.
Humidity is hovering around 38% for the afternoon, so it’s that dry, biting cold that makes your knuckles crack. If you have plans tonight, keep an eye on the sky. The chance of precipitation jumps up to 20% after dark. We are looking at a messy mix of rain and snow moving in late, with the temperature dropping back down to a low of 24°F.
The Weekend Outlook and That "Next Weather" Alert
Friday is just the warm-up act for some weirder stuff coming our way. While today is mostly about the chill, Saturday brings a higher chance of a rain-snow mix as a disturbance crosses the Delaware Valley. Most meteorologists are saying we'll see less than an inch of snow before it turns to plain old rain by the afternoon when we hit a high of 43°F.
But you really need to prepare for next Tuesday.
The local NWS office and CBS Philadelphia are already flagging a "Next Weather Alert" for early next week. We are talking about the coldest air of the 2026 season so far. Morning lows on Tuesday could crash into the 5°F to 15°F range. With the wind, we might see wind chills as low as -5°F. That is the kind of cold where you have to worry about exposed skin and frozen pipes.
Philadelphia Weather: The Historical Context
Is 25°F unusual for mid-January in the City of Brotherly Love? Not really. The "normal" low for January 16 is right around 25°F, so we are hitting the mark exactly.
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The record high for this date was 62°F back in 2007—man, wouldn't that be nice right now? On the flip side, the record low was a bone-chilling 0°F set in 1977. So, while 2026 feels like a freezer, it could technically be a lot worse.
Philly weather is famously temperamental because we’re caught between the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. This creates a funnel for Arctic air (like what we’re feeling today) but also sets us up for those "coastal surprises" where a storm tracks just right and dumps ten inches of slush on us.
Survival Tips for the Current Philly Cold
- Layering is a science: Wear a moisture-wicking base layer. Your 15°F wind chill walk will feel like 30°F if you have a solid thermal underneath.
- Watch the Night Shift: Since we have that 20% chance of snow and rain tonight, surfaces will get slick. The low of 24°F means anything that falls will likely freeze on the sidewalks by Saturday morning.
- Pet Safety: If it's too cold for you to stand outside in a light jacket for ten minutes, it's too cold for your pets.
Basically, today is a day for wool socks and extra coffee. The current temp in philly isn't going to break any records, but the damp cold and the wind are enough to make anyone want to stay inside.
Next Steps for Philadelphians: Check your anti-freeze levels and make sure you have a shovel handy for the Saturday morning slush. If you’re heading out to a game or a show tonight, plan for extra travel time; that 20% chance of rain and snow usually turns the Schuylkill Expressway into a parking lot. Most importantly, start prepping for Tuesday's deep freeze now—make sure your heaters are in good shape before that Arctic air really lands.