Honestly, if you live in Philly, you know the drill. One minute you're digging your car out of a snowbank, and the next, you're wondering if you actually need that heavy parka or if a light fleece will do. This week is no exception. We are looking at a five day forecast for Philadelphia that starts with a punch to the gut from Mother Nature and then settles into a weird, bone-chilling calm.
If you’re reading this on Sunday night, you probably already see the slush piling up. We’ve got a heavy snow storm hitting us right now with a 97% chance of precipitation. It's messy. It's cold—about 34°F—and it’s basically a reminder that January in the Northeast doesn't play around.
The Big Chill: Breaking Down the Five Day Forecast for Philadelphia
Tomorrow morning is going to be a "watch your step" kind of situation. While the snow stops and things clear up tonight, Monday, January 19, brings a high of only 36°F. The real story isn't the high, though; it's the overnight drop. We’re talking 18°F. That's the kind of cold that makes your car make weird noises when you start it.
Tuesday is the Coldest Day of the Bunch
If you hate the cold, Tuesday is your nemesis. We are looking at a high of 23°F. That is not a typo.
Basically, it’s going to be sunny, but don't let the blue skies fool you. With a low of 12°F Tuesday night, any remaining slush from Sunday's storm is going to turn into concrete-hard ice. If you haven't salted your walk yet, you’ve probably missed the window.
The wind is coming out of the west at 10 mph, which doesn't sound like much until you're standing on a SEPTA platform waiting for the Broad Street Line. It’s biting.
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A Slight Rebound (Sorta)
By Wednesday, we start to see a tiny bit of mercy. The high gets back up to 36°F, which, after Tuesday, will probably feel like a heatwave. It’ll be partly sunny, though the humidity stays low around 47%.
- Wednesday High: 36°F
- Wednesday Low: 13°F
- Sky Conditions: Partly sunny/Partly cloudy
Thursday, January 22, is actually the "warm" spot in this five day forecast for Philadelphia. We might actually crack 42°F. It’s still chilly, but at least we aren't hovering near zero. The southwest wind at 9 mph helps a bit, keeping the "feels like" temp from being too miserable.
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What to Watch Out For This Week
The biggest misconception about Philly winters is that the snow is the main problem. Kinda isn't. The real issue is the freeze-thaw-refreeze cycle.
Since Sunday saw heavy snow and a high of 34°F, a lot of that is melting into puddles. When Monday and Tuesday hit those deep-freeze lows of 18°F and 12°F, those puddles become black ice. It’s the classic Philly trap.
Managing the Extremes
Friday, January 23, wraps up the forecast period with a return to the 30s. It’ll be mostly cloudy with a high of 30°F and a low of 16°F. It's consistent, if nothing else. We're seeing a 10% chance of snow flurries, but nothing like the storm we just dealt with.
The humidity is going to stay quite low toward the end of the week, dropping to 41% on Friday. Your skin is going to feel it. Honestly, buy some extra lotion now.
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Practical Steps for the Next 48 Hours
Don't wait until Tuesday morning to realize your pipes are at risk or your tires are low. Cold air makes tire pressure drop, and 12°F is definitely "check your PSI" weather.
- Salt the "Sweat": As the snow melts today, salt the wet spots before they freeze solid tonight.
- Layer Smart: Tuesday’s 23°F requires a base layer. If you're walking to work, windbreakers are useless without insulation underneath.
- Check on Neighbors: With lows in the teens, make sure the folks on your block have their heat working.
This five day forecast for Philadelphia is a rollercoaster of typical January madness. We move from a 97% snow chance to 0% by Tuesday, only to have the temperature fall off a cliff. Stay warm, keep the salt handy, and maybe just stay inside on Tuesday if you can manage it.