Weather in Philadelphia in January

January in Philadelphia is deep winter. Days are short. The outdoor plan is a window in the middle of the day or not at all.

In United States, this is how Philadelphia actually wears January, not how a country centroid would. January is the cold side of the year in Philadelphia. Pack for that, not for a leftover summer photo.

Philadelphia
Average temp
1°C

-3–5°C

Rainfall
79 mm

Showers likely

Sunshine
4.2 h

hours per day

Wind
16 km/h

What to expect

Daytime

Days in Philadelphia in January are about getting between indoor places. The cold is the story. Gloves are not a fashion choice.

A clear spell is for a short walk, then back in. Do not plan a long outdoor day as the default. Night falls early and the cold deepens with it.

Rain

January is on the drier side of the year in Philadelphia. Showers are possible. They do not define the month.

A shell that lives in the bag is enough. This is not July, and it should not be packed as if it were.

Evening

Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.

What to pack

  • Rain jacket

  • A layer for cooler evenings

Where to stay in Philadelphia

Dates are a starting point for January.

All hotels in Philadelphia

Travel guides for Philadelphia

What to read before you book.

All travel guides in Philadelphia

Average weather in Philadelphia

TemperatureRainfall

Source: MeteostatPeriod: 1991-2020Checked: 28 Aug 2026265 places covered

Similar weather in January

Other destinations whose January averages sit close to this one.

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FAQs about Philadelphia

Climate averages for Philadelphia, 1991–2020.

The best time to visit Philadelphia is between May and October, the most comfortable stretch of the year on these averages.

July is the hottest month, with an average around 26°C.

September is the wettest month, with about 112 mm of rain.

No. These are 1991–2020 climate normals from Meteostat, not a live forecast. Actual weather in any given week can differ.