How is the Weather in Philadelphia in January?

Updated: 7 septiembre 2022

January in Philadelphia tends to be very cold with some risk for snow, and in this post, we detail exactly what you should expect this month.


Temperatures

Daytime high temperatures tend to be near 42-43 F (6 C) early in the month, cooling to 37-40 F (3-4 C) by the end of the month. 

A few of the warmer days, especially early in the month, can reach up near 57 F (14 C).

The record high temperature for Philadelphia during January is 74 F (23.3 C).

Late night and early morning low temperatures tend to be around 29-30 F (-1 to -2 C) early in the month, falling to about 24-25 F (-4 C) near the end of the month.

Overall, you can expect about 24 days this month to record temperatures at or below 32 F (0 C).

A few of the colder mornings, especially near the end of the month, can dip down near 13-14 F (-10 C).

The record low temperature for Philadelphia during January is -7 F (-21.7 C.


Sky, Rain and Snow

You should expect about 7 sunny, 8 partly sunny, and 16 mostly cloudy days this month.

Some precipitation occurs on about 11 days, however, only about 2 days record at least 0.5 inch.

Some snow falls, on average, on 4 days this month with snow accumulations of 3 inches (7.6 cm) or more occurring about once every 2 years and 5 inches (12.7 cm) or more about once every 3 years. 


Daylight

The number of daylight hours slowly increases this month from 9.4 hours on the 1st to a little over 10 hours by the end of the month.


Windspeed

Wind speeds are light to gentle at 4-12 mph (6-19 kph) but can occasionally be moderate at 13-18 mph (20-28 kph) are 5-10 mph 


What to Wear in Philadelphia during January?

Dress for winter as Philadelphia can be quite cold this month.

You should pack a Winter coat, warm hat, gloves, a few scarfs, some warm socks, and a couple of sweaters. 

In addition, some thermals and at least one pair of waterproof boots will come in handy.


Things to Do in Philadelphia during January

It will still be quite cold this month, and unless you're visiting early in the month, chances are you'll miss out on the last few days of holiday lighting displays.

That said, you might still want to consider a pay-what-you-want Philadelphia walking tour.

One fun and festive activity that continues into January is ice skating at the RiverRink Winterfest.

If you're not interested in getting on any more ice than you need to, head to a Philadelphia Flyers game and watch the professionals do it instead!

Alternatively, you might also want to look for a musical or stand-up comedy show to attend, as the theater is an excellent place to visit on a cold night.

For even more great ideas, make sure to read our full post on things to do in Philadelphia in January.


Fred Pickhardt

Ocean Weather Services 

About The Author

Fred Pickhardt

Fred is a marine meteorologist and sailed briefly with American Export Lines in the Far East trade. He has extensive experience in weather analysis, weather forecasting, and forensic weather event reconstructions. Fred founded Ocean Weather Services and currently provides forensic marine weather reports to the maritime industry.
Updated: septiembre 7th, 2022
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