Philadelphia rolled into Thursday, May 28, 2026 under mostly cloudy skies and a mild 70°F start, but the day is set to turn brighter and a lot breezier. Sunshine breaks through this afternoon with a high near 77°F, while northwest winds crank up and send gusts toward 30 mph in the city’s more exposed spots. A Small Craft Advisory is posted for the upper Delaware Bay this afternoon, so boaters will want to think twice before heading out. On land, it is a good day to secure anything light enough to blow over and plan for a blustery but dry afternoon across most neighborhoods.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Those northwest winds will not stay shy for long. Through the afternoon, they build to sustained speeds of about 5 to 15 mph, with gusts pushing up to around 30 mph, especially along the river corridor, on bridges and in other open, exposed locations. That extra punch of wind can make it feel cooler and is more than enough to shove around unsecured patio furniture or decorations. According to the National Weather Service Mount Holly, Thursday’s high lands near 77°F, with gusts expected in the 25 to 30 mph range.
Marine Advisory For Upper Delaware Bay
Conditions on the water get choppier this afternoon. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. for the upper Delaware Bay, where gusts near 25 knots (about 30 mph) and seas of 2 to 3 feet are anticipated. Operators of smaller vessels are urged to postpone nonessential trips, secure loose gear and keep an ear on marine VHF and forecast updates before leaving port. Ocean water temperatures are still on the chilly side, roughly the 50s to low 60s, so swimmers and paddlers should use caution even with a low rip current risk.
Weekend Outlook
High pressure keeps the region mostly dry as we slide into the weekend. Friday looks sunny with highs near 78°F, and Saturday dips a bit cooler to around 72°F with a continued breeze in the mix. A slight chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms returns by Monday, but forecasters do not expect hazardous weather through much of the upcoming week. For earlier coverage of a similarly gusty spring setup, see our post Wind Whips Philly.
