Weather in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Roses open along the stoops. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 9:48 AM
- Moonset
- 12:36 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open along the stoops
Philadelphia at a glance
- Today vs. normal: NaN°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 16 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Warm-season window is open
As of May 17, the last spring frost has passed for most years. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, and cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons) now. Direct-sow beans and corn into warm soil.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Philadelphia's warmest temperatures with a mean of 80°F, while January delivers the coldest at 35°F. August sees peak rainfall at 5.0 inches, compared to February's low of 3.3 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35° | 3.6″ | 7 |
| February | 37° | 3.3″ | 6 |
| March | 45° | 4.5″ | 7 |
| April | 56° | 4.0″ | 7 |
| May | 66° | 4.1″ | 8 |
| June | 75° | 4.8″ | 8 |
| July | 80° | 4.8″ | 7 |
| August | 78° | 5.0″ | 7 |
| September | 72° | 4.9″ | 6 |
| October | 60° | 4.2″ | 6 |
| November | 49° | 3.4″ | 6 |
| December | 40° | 4.3″ | 7 |
Regional context
As part of the warm-summer humid continental climate region, Philadelphia shares temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with other nearby cities in this climate zone.
Similar climates: Pittsburgh, PA, Allentown, PA, Harrisburg, PA, Lancaster, PA, Scranton, PA.
Naturalist notes
May brings the arrival of ruby-throated hummingbirds returning from their southern wintering grounds.
Dogwood trees typically reach peak bloom in late April to early May across the region.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Philadelphia?
- Mid-April typically marks Philadelphia's last spring frost, while the first fall frost usually occurs around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Philadelphia?
- August receives the most rainfall at approximately 5.0 inches on average, contributing to the city's annual total of roughly 51 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Philadelphia?
- July records the highest average temperatures at about 80°F.
- What is the coldest month in Philadelphia?
- January sees the coldest temperatures, averaging about 35°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Philadelphia?
- Cool-season vegetables like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-April, while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after that date.
- How many rainy days does Philadelphia get?
- The city experiences approximately 82 rainy days annually.
- What hardiness zone is Philadelphia?
- Philadelphia's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperatures; use the USDA's online lookup tool with the city ZIP code for current zone designation.
Climate
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania experiences a warm-summer humid continental climate. Temperatures hover near 35°F in January and reach an average of 80°F in July, creating a 46°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 51 inches, distributed across roughly 82 rainy days throughout the year.
Geography shapes the weather patterns here: the city's latitude at 40.0°N, nearby large water bodies, and elevation all influence what plants thrive, when frost occurs, and daily weather conditions.
ZIP codes in Philadelphia
- 19154
- 19151
- 19150
- 19153
- 19152
- 19102
- 19103
- 19106
- 19107
- 19104
- 19108
- 19109
- 19128
- 19129
- 19120
- 19121
- 19122
- 19123
- 19124
- 19125
- 19126
- 19127
- 19112
- 19111
- 19115
- 19114
- 19116
- 19119
- 19118
- 19148
- 19149
- 19146
- 19147
- 19144
- 19145
- 19142
- 19143
- 19140
- 19141
- 19139
- 19138
- 19137
- 19136
- 19135
- 19134
- 19133
- 19132
- 19131
- 19130
- 19019
- 19092
- 19093
- 19101
- 19105
- 19110
- 19155
- 19160
- 19161
- 19162
- 19170
- 19171
- 19172
- 19173
- 19175
- 19176
- 19177
- 19178
- 19179
- 19181
- 19182
- 19183
- 19184
- 19185
- 19187
- 19188
- 19190
- 19191
- 19192
- 19193
- 19194
- 19195
- 19196
- 19197
- 19244
- 19255