Pennsylvania — A brief taste of mild January weather hangs on across the Delaware Valley today, but it’s the calm before a fast-moving return to winter. Cloudy skies dominate, and while temperatures climb comfortably this afternoon, colder air waits just behind the scenes, ready to sweep in by Thursday.
According to the National Weather Service in Philadelphia/Mount Holly, highs today reach the upper 40s to lower 50s, with pockets of low to mid-50s across southeastern Pennsylvania and South Jersey. Skies remain mostly cloudy to overcast, and light rain may develop northwest of I-95, especially from Reading toward the Poconos. Farther south, only spotty showers are possible, and many neighborhoods stay dry.
The mild feel won’t last. As the day wears on, a stronger cold push approaches, setting up a noticeable change overnight into Thursday. Temperatures turn sharply colder, and winds increase, flipping the pattern back to midwinter just one day after the warmth peaks.
Thursday brings the reality check. Highs fall back into the 30s, and the air feels colder as winds add bite. Any lingering moisture dries out quickly, but the temperature drop alone marks a major shift from today’s conditions. For commuters, the contrast may be most noticeable early Thursday, when stepping outside feels dramatically different than it did just 24 hours earlier.
Drivers should remain cautious today in areas that see rain, especially later if roads cool quickly behind the front. While wintry precipitation is not the main concern locally, the rapid temperature swing can still create isolated slick spots.
Enjoy the mild stretch while it lasts. Winter reasserts itself Thursday and beyond. Did today feel more like early spring where you are, or did the chill already creep back in? Let us know what you’re seeing across the Philly region.
