Philly Basks in Sun Wednesday Before I-95 Thunderstorms Crash Thursday Commute

Philadelphia is starting Wednesday, August 26, around the mid-60s with a mostly sunny day ahead, but the clear skies are on borrowed time. Temperatures should climb to 86 degrees this afternoon before a wetter, stormier Thursday takes over the forecast.

Sunny Wednesday Gives Way To Thursday Storms

Wednesday will stay dry, with light southwest winds and plenty of sunshine through the afternoon. According to the National Weather Service, clouds increase Wednesday night as temperatures settle near 71 degrees.

Showers could arrive Thursday morning, with thunderstorms becoming more likely around midday and into the afternoon. The forecast calls for a high near 87, a 60% chance of rain and storms, and roughly a quarter- to half-inch of rainfall, with the heaviest activity generally expected north and west of the I-95 corridor.

Thursday Could Complicate The Commute

The timing is a sharper update from Hoodline’s earlier Philly forecast, which had highlighted a later-week storm chance without the same midday focus. Thursday night remains unsettled, with showers and thunderstorms likely before 5 a.m. Friday and another tenth to quarter-inch possible.

No watches, warnings or advisories are currently listed for Philadelphia or the surrounding region. Even so, heavy downpours could make for a slower afternoon commute, and anyone with outdoor plans should have an indoor backup and head inside if thunder moves in.

Weekend Looks Better Before Next Week’s Heat

Friday stays warm near 86 degrees with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, while Saturday looks mostly sunny with a high near 85. Sunday should be mostly sunny and warmer at about 87 degrees.

The heat returns Monday and Tuesday, when highs are expected to reach 91 degrees under mostly sunny skies. Tuesday brings only a slight chance of rain showers after 2 p.m., making Wednesday the week’s best dry-weather window before Thursday’s stormy turn.