Philadelphia, Pa. –Cool dawn air carried a faint edge Thursday morning, the kind that signals fall is settling in for good across southeastern Pennsylvania. The mild stretch lingering from midweek will end quickly as cooler, drier air sweeps across the region late Friday into Saturday, marking one of the sharpest temperature shifts of the month.
According to the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, winds will increase from the west Thursday afternoon, with gusts near 25 mph ushering in a crisper air mass. After Thursday’s brief warm-up to near 61°, temperatures will tumble into the lower 40s by Friday night — even flirting with the upper 30s in Bucks and Chester Counties. Residents planning early Halloween setups or Friday night games should layer up; the air will feel brisk under clear skies, especially west of I-95.
Friday’s sunshine turns chilly by afternoon, with highs near 60° but a noticeably lower humidity. Saturday will stay mostly sunny but cool, topping out in the upper 50s before dipping back near 40°. While no frost advisories are posted yet, early morning gardeners across the northern suburbs may want to protect sensitive plants as the first hints of early-winter chill arrive.
By Sunday, mostly sunny skies linger with highs near 59°, ideal for fall cleanups and early holiday decorating. However, the pattern is shifting — another system early next week could bring the season’s first rain chance, possibly hinting at cooler, late-October air behind it. Across much of the East, from Iowa to Virginia, the same front marks the end of the growing season — a clear sign that winter’s doorstep isn’t far.
Five-Day Forecast for Philadelphia, PA:
Thu: 61/41 – Increasing clouds; gusty westerly breeze.
Fri: 60/40 – Sunny, breezy; brisk fall air builds.
Sat: 59/41 – Cool sunshine; early frost north of city.
Sun: 59/40 – Mostly sunny; light winds, dry.
Mon: 58/41 – Partly cloudy; next system approaches midweek.
