Winter in Philadelphia can be tough! It snows one day, and it’s sunny the next… how do you know what to wear, what to plan, and what to expect? The truth is, you’ve got to be willing to roll with the punches a little bit (or maybe a lot-bit). Here are a few tips to make surviving a Philadelphia winter a little less painful for most of us! What are your favorite ways to make the winters here more tolerable? Let us know.

1. Watch where you park.
Facebook / Philadelphia Police Department
Whether you're on team #savesies or #nosavesies, you need to pay attention to where you park after a snowstorm. While many residents believe you should be able to save the spot you spend all morning shoveling out, others side with the Philadelphia Police, who are quick to point out that the streets are open to public parking, and shoveling out a spot is not a way to claim it as your own. Plus, claiming things at a first-come, first-serve type of place is just plain rude. Don't be that guy.
2. Invest in some good snow boots.
Flickr / Kevin Burkett
Philadelphia's streets and sidewalks get downright messy after a snowstorm! Most of our winter weather is that sloppy snow-rain mix that will have your standard boots and sneakers soaked and covered in mud almost immediately, so it's wise to have a pair of boots that will keep you warm and dry on a cold and wet day. Heavy snow: fun for the kids, significantly less so for the adults.
3. Try to enjoy the sunny, warm days.
Flickr / Roger W.
Throughout winter, Philadelphians are surprised with random warm and sunny days. Don't waste these days inside - get out and explore local parks (like Valley Forge) or Wissahickon. Finding ways to soak up sunlight and warmth during winter is one way to make it feel like it doesn't really last forever. Fun fact: winter only lasts, on average, for about 3.1 months in Philly.
4. Stay off the roads when it's really bad out.
Flickr / Tayloright
PennDOT does its best, but keeping city streets clear is a challenge. Try to enjoy a snow day and stay off the roads. This is probably easier said than done, but... try.

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5. Speaking of trying things, don't even try to shop the day before a storm.
Flickr / Kathy
Everyone in Philadelphia flocks to the grocery store as soon as the weather suggests snow! Milk, eggs, and bread sell out. It's not worth the madness to try to shop before it snows, so keep a few ready-to-eat meals around so you won't have to face the chaos before a storm. What if it's a conspiracy between Big Dairy and Big Weather to get us to buy more? We have questions.
6. Expect SEPTA delays.
Flickr / Vince Young
It's inevitable - SEPTA struggles in snow. Give yourself plenty of extra time if you have somewhere to be on a snowy day.
7. Be prepared for anything.
Flickr / Henk Sijgers
In Philly, a sunny day can turn into a rainout with no warning, and in winter, our wild weather can be especially unpredictable. We remember getting stranded in 2013, when a flurry turned into two feet of snow, and we couldn't get out of the suburbs for hours. We also had to scrape off our cars with a cookie sheet... needless to say, we keep ice scrapers and an umbrella in our trunks now.
8. Bundle up!
Flickr / Michael Cramer
The wind in Philadelphia makes a big difference in winter weather! It might be 40 degrees out, but with enough wind, you'll feel completely frozen. Never underestimate the wind chill, especially in Center City. You can always add more layers!
9. Don't put all your eggs in one... nest?
Flickr / Kevin Burkett
Eagles fans know that a disappointing season makes the winter blues feel even more real. This year, we've got a lot of hopes in our Iggles... but remember, they're the Eagles... and you can't get your hopes up too high just yet. Or ever.

Winter in Philadelphia is just beginning; we’re in for a cold and snowy one this year! While you’re dreaming of your winter getaways up in the Poconos, check out what the old-school methodology has to say in the (just for fun) Farmers Almanac winter 2022 forecast.

Which winters in Philadelphia do you remember most fondly? Tell us your stories of fun times and good memories in the comments.

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Winter in Philadelphia

Tori Jane | November 29, 2022
  1. What is winter in Philadelphia like?  

Winter in Philadelphia might be pretty cold, if not frigid at times – but this doesn’t mean it’s not a wonderful place nevertheless! Some fun things to do during winter in Philadelphia are:  

 

2. What are the coldest Philadelphia winters on record?  

Records of Philadelphia’s temperatures go back to 1921, with a few years missing here and there. The lowest temperature ever recorded in Philly is –7 degrees, and it occurred three times: once in the 1930s and twice in the 1980s. Among the coldest Philadelphia winters on record are amazing seasons like:  

 

3. What are some fun things to do during Philly winters?  

Of course, none of the above means that winter in Philadelphia isn’t magical or fun; there are lots of totally fun things to do during Philly winters, such as:  

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