Philadelphia wakes up to sun and a chill on Sunday, March 29, with early morning temperatures in the mid-30s and an afternoon high near 58°F on tap. As the day goes on, south-southwest winds will ramp up, so it will feel breezier than the numbers alone suggest. The drier air that rides in with those winds briefly drops humidity enough for forecasters to flag a modest fire-weather concern for parts of the region, as reported by the National Weather Service.
Afternoon Gusts Get Feisty
By midday, winds turn more solidly southerly to south-southwesterly and increase to around 10 to 15 mph, with gusts reaching about 20 to 25 mph by mid to late afternoon. The gustiest stretch looks to be from midday through early evening. That combo of gusty and dry can shuffle around unsecured patio furniture or small branches, so it is a good day to tie things down and skip any recreational burning. The National Weather Service Mount Holly notes that a Small Craft Advisory starts for ocean waters north of Cape Henlopen at 4 p.m. today, and its briefing lays out the marine and fire-weather details in full National Weather Service Mount Holly.
Midweek Warmup Brings Brief Sizzle
Temperatures climb quickly to start the workweek, with highs near 68°F on Monday and into the upper 70s on Tuesday. By Wednesday, April 1, 2026, many inland neighborhoods are expected to flirt with the low 80s. That early taste of warmth does not last without a catch, though, as showers and thunderstorms become more likely Wednesday afternoon and evening ahead of a cold front. Cooler, more unsettled weather follows late in the week.
How This Affects You
If you are planning to be outside today, the morning and early afternoon will feel the most comfortable before the breeze really kicks in. Once winds pick up, it may feel cooler than the thermometer suggests. Boaters should steer clear of exposed ocean waters once the Small Craft Advisory begins, and anyone considering outdoor burning should hold off until humidity rebounds.
We covered a similar warm-and-storm setup earlier this month, and the pattern this week looks familiar. For background, check out our March 11 coverage on steamy March heat and storms. We will update this page if any watches or warnings are issued.
