Friday morning, May 15, Philadelphia woke up under mostly cloudy skies with temperatures in the low to mid 50s and a light northwest breeze around 5 to 10 mph. The afternoon high is expected to top out near 71°F before skies clear this evening, with gusts that could briefly spike to 20 to 25 mph. A light jacket will still come in handy for the morning commute, and it may feel extra gusty along the river and on bridge crossings.
Weekend Warmup And Rising Winds
High pressure brings plenty of sun on Saturday with temperatures climbing to around 82°F. After that, a stronger warm pattern builds in and pushes inland highs into the mid to upper 80s, with some spots eyeing the low 90s on Monday and Tuesday. Coastal neighborhoods should run roughly 5 to 10°F cooler than inland areas. Small craft advisory conditions are likely late Saturday into Saturday night as southwest winds pick up. According to National Weather Service Mount Holly, the urban corridor could flirt with heat advisory criteria by next Tuesday into Wednesday.
Heat Safety And Cooling Help
With temperatures making a run at the 90s early next week, event organizers and anyone working outside should build in extra breaks for water and shade. If the city activates heat health resources, the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging operates a Heatline at 215-765-9040 with information on cooling centers and related assistance. According to the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, the Heatline helps callers locate cooling sites and get practical heat safety guidance during heat events.
What To Expect This Weekend
Saturday looks like the pick of the weekend, sunny and warm, and a solid bet for outdoor plans. Sunday carries a small 10 to 20% chance of isolated showers, mainly for inland locations. For outdoor events later in the week, plan ahead with water, shade and regular breaks as the heat builds. A cold front late next week could bring showers and thunderstorms along with some relief from the heat. This page will be updated if any watches or advisories are issued before next week.
