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.

Weather in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Roses open along the stoops. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →

Philadelphia, PA

Sunday, May 17 at 2:49 AM

Overcast

Feels like

69°

Humidity

43%

Wind

8 mph

Sunrise

5:44 AM

Sunset

8:09 PM

Philadelphia, PA

Hour by hour · 24h

54°

10p

53°

11p

53°

12a

52°

51°

52°

51°

50°

52°

55°

57°

10a

59°

11a

62°

12p

65°

66°

65°

66°

67°

66°

63°

60°

Philadelphia, PA

7-day forecast

Today
May 16
Overcast
—
83°50°
Sunday
May 17
Overcast
10%
90°64°
Monday
May 18
Light Drizzle
—
97°65°
Tuesday
May 19
Drizzle
—
95°70°
Wednesday
May 20
Showers
61%
93°64°
Thursday
May 21
Overcast
43%
76°56°
Friday
May 22
Drizzle
32%
64°50°

Philadelphia, PA

Next 24 hours · Cool now

Philadelphia, PA

Anemometer · 24h winds · from true

From · True

SSW

199° · backing 113°

Direction

SSW

199°

Sustained

mph

Gust

mph

Peak 24h

avg 8

Beaufort · 3 · GENTLE BRZ

CALM

LIGHT AIR

1–3

LIGHT BRZ

4–7

GENTLE BRZ

8–12

MOD BRZ

13–18

FRESH BRZ

19–24

STRONG BRZ

25–31

NEAR GALE

32–38

24h · sust vs gust · mph

avg 8 · pk 22 @ 4:00p

−24h−18h−12h−6hnow

Philadelphia, PA

Barometer · 24h pressure · mb

Pressure · mb

1009.5

-0.1 mb in 3h · rising · 29.81 inHg

Now

1009.5

-0.1

12h

-3.6

24h

-4.9

Regime · RAIN

STORM

RAIN

CHANGE

FAIR

DRY

24h · Pressure · mb

range 1009–1017

−24h−18h−12h−6hnow

Philadelphia, PA

Air quality

AQI

Moderate

PM 2.5: 10.2 μg/m³
PM 10: 10.4 μg/m³
NO₂: 11.1 μg/m³
Ozone: 110.0 μg/m³
UV Index: 0.0 Low

Philadelphia, PA

Almanac · Sunday, May 17

When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.

Civil dawn

9:15 AM

Sunrise

5:44 AM

Daylight

14h 25m

Sunset

8:09 PM

Civil dusk

12:41 AM

Planting note

Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.

Philadelphia, PA

The moon

New Moon

0% illuminated

Moonrise: 9:48 AM
Moonset: 12:36 AM
In sign: ♊︎ Gemini

Philadelphia, PA

Microseason · 28 of 72

May 16–20

Roses open along the stoops

plant

Read this microseason across nine climate regions →

Philadelphia at a glance

Today vs. normal: 73°F — typical for the season
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.

Roses open along the stoops

Philadelphia at a glance

Right now in the garden

Planting calendar

A year in weather

Regional context

Naturalist notes

Frequently asked

Climate

Nearby in Pennsylvania

ZIP codes in Philadelphia