Thu Jan 01 11:10:00 UTC 2026: News Article:
Bundle Up, Philly! Cold and Breezy New Year’s Festivities Expected
Philadelphia, PA – Heading out to celebrate New Year’s Eve and Day in the Philadelphia region? Prepare for a chilly start to 2026! While the blustery weather from earlier in the week has subsided, temperatures are expected to remain well below normal, with wind chills making it feel even colder.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures will peak in the low to mid-30s on Wednesday and Thursday, roughly 5 to 10 degrees below average. Meteorologist Alex Staarmann warns that breezy conditions will make it feel like the 20s, especially during the Mummers Parade on New Year’s Day. “It will be cold and breezy for the [Mummers] parade on Thursday, but nothing significant otherwise,” Staarmann advised. “Just dress warmly.”
The wind won’t be nearly as fierce as earlier in the week, which saw gusts as high as 60 mph. New Year’s Eve will see sustained winds of up to 15 mph, with gusts reaching 25 mph. New Year’s Day will be similarly breezy, with gusts up to 30 mph.
There’s a slight chance of snow flurries, particularly overnight Wednesday into Thursday, with forecasters giving Philadelphia a 40% chance of a light dusting. However, significant accumulation is not expected.
Despite the cold, the forecast looks clear for Philadelphia’s first New Year’s Eve concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, featuring LL Cool J, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Dorothy, and Adam Blackstone. The Mummers Parade on New Year’s Day will also proceed as planned, with over 10,000 performers taking to the streets.
Looking ahead, the first few days of 2026 are expected to be “fairly uneventful” in terms of weather. However, the cold weather is likely to persist, with highs mainly in the 30s and lows in the teens and 20s.
First Piper 