Weather & Climate in Philadelphia, PA

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Philadelphia enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 281 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 47.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 52. 47% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 105 feet.

Temperature

42°F Jan (5°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	56.9°F
	5% above US avg
January Average	42°F (5°C)
July Average	78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	281 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	105 ft (32 m)
Area	142.7 sq mi (369.6 km²)
Population Density	11,780/sq mi
Coordinates	40.0094°N, 75.1333°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Philadelphia County County
Nearest Airport	Philadelphia International (PHL) 11 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 47.3"

24% above US avg

Snowfall 2.3"

Wettest Month (Jul) 4.53"

Driest Month (Feb) 2.83"

Air Quality

AQI Median	52.0
Rating	Moderate
Good Days %	47.3%
Unhealthy Days	10

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very High
Risk Score	99.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	88.1 / 100
Community Resilience	48.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively High
Hurricane	Relatively High
Earthquake	Relatively High
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very High
Hail	Relatively High
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Very High
Winter Weather	Very High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Very High
Landslide	Relatively Low
Coastal Flood	Relatively High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

30 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.

Apr 5, 2024	2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake	M4.8	83 km	3 km
Jan 16, 1994	2 km W of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania	M4.6	85 km	5 km
Jan 16, 1994	0 km E of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania	M4.2	82 km	5 km
Apr 5, 2024	7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M3.7	83 km	4 km
Oct 23, 1990	3 km W of Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey	M3.2	64 km	10 km
Aug 26, 2003	4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey	M3.1	66 km	3 km
Jan 9, 1992	4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey	M3.1	78 km	8 km
Nov 14, 1997	0 km S of Rothsville, Pennsylvania	M3.0	96 km	5 km
Aug 3, 2025	0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey	M3.0	131 km	10 km
Feb 3, 2009	1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey	M3.0	109 km	0 km
Apr 27, 2024	7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.9	83 km	5 km
May 24, 2024	6 km E of Califon, New Jersey	M2.9	84 km	7 km
Jan 16, 1994	0 km SSE of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania	M2.9	82 km	5 km
May 10, 1993	1 km NW of Whitfield, Pennsylvania	M2.8	84 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2025	1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey	M2.8	145 km	12 km
Jul 1, 2009	3 km ESE of Pennsville, New Jersey	M2.8	50 km	5 km
Mar 11, 1995	0 km ENE of Landisville, Pennsylvania	M2.7	108 km	5 km
Oct 28, 1994	1 km E of Mount Vernon, Maryland	M2.7	148 km	—
Jan 25, 2015	4 km ESE of Downingtown, Pennsylvania	M2.6	45 km	2 km
Oct 27, 2001	1 km NNW of Manhattan, New York	M2.6	132 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

6 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2014	Arthur	Category 1	81 mph	296 km
2012	Sandy	Category 2	92 mph	253 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	75 mph	213 km
1991	Bob	Category 3	109 mph	221 km
1986	Charley	Category 1	75 mph	290 km
1985	Gloria	Category 2	98 mph	131 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

350 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 8 fatalities, 270 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Sep 1, 2021	EF3	38 km	12.4 mi	0
Jul 29, 2021	EF3	17 km	3.4 mi	0
May 31, 1998	EF3	84 km	8.3 mi	0
Jul 27, 1994	EF3	41 km	2.0 mi	3
Jul 27, 1994	EF3	63 km	4.0 mi	0
Oct 18, 1990	EF3	61 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 21, 1983	EF3	82 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 26, 1981	EF3	93 km	3.3 mi	0
Sep 26, 1977	EF3	66 km	5.9 mi	0
May 28, 1973	EF3	100 km	0.4 mi	0
Apr 28, 1961	EF3	53 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 24, 1960	EF3	42 km	12.9 mi	0
Mar 22, 1955	EF3	42 km	9.6 mi	1
Nov 4, 1950	EF3	87 km	15.9 mi	0
Apr 1, 2023	EF2	94 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 1, 2023	EF2	75 km	1.6 mi	0
Apr 1, 2023	EF2	65 km	2.1 mi	0
Feb 21, 2023	EF2	47 km	5.8 mi	0
Sep 1, 2021	EF2	14 km	8.3 mi	1
Sep 1, 2021	EF2	76 km	5.9 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km.

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1895	HIGH BRIDGE, NJ	Earthquake	—	—	76 km
1840	PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA	Earthquake	—	—	24 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: GREENWOOD STATE FOREST (21,271 acres, 1995).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1995	GREENWOOD STATE FOREST	21,271	76 km
2007	WARREN GROVE	15,315	76 km
2022	MULLICA RIVER FIRE	13,082	53 km
1999	BASS RIVER	12,129	69 km
2019	SPRING HILL FIRE	8,182	63 km
2023	ALLEN ROAD	6,213	69 km
1992	FORKED RIVER MOUTAIN APR	5,093	74 km
1992	POWER PLANT	4,928	79 km
1992	UNNAMED	4,470	54 km
2024	TEA TIME HILL	4,444	52 km
2006	UNNAMED	3,780	54 km
2017	PENN SWAMP FIRE	3,587	56 km
2023	JIMMYS WATER HOLE	3,585	65 km
1989	SIMM PLACE	3,262	65 km
2002	UNNAMED	2,824	53 km
2007	ATSION	2,705	48 km
1992	FOUR MILE COLONY	2,647	52 km
1996	UNNAMED	2,625	62 km
2010	FORT DIX RANGE 1-14	2,615	52 km
1990	UNNAMED	2,367	40 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	42°F (5°C)	3.5 in
February	34°F (1°C)	2.8 in	Coldest, Driest
March	42°F (6°C)	3.9 in
April	52°F (11°C)	3.9 in
May	62°F (17°C)	4.4 in
June	71°F (22°C)	3.7 in
July	78°F (25°C)	4.5 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	74°F (24°C)	4.5 in
September	67°F (20°C)	3.9 in
October	56°F (13°C)	3.2 in
November	46°F (8°C)	3.7 in
December	36°F (2°C)	3.6 in

Philadelphia has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 34°F in February to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (2.8").

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