State guides · Pennsylvania · Climate by town
Philadelphia, PA rainfall, snowfall and frost dates
Thirty-year averages for Philadelphia from NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals: rain and snow by month, the last and first freeze, the growing season, and a frost check for any date.
Philadelphia averages 44.11 in. of precipitation and 23.1 in. of snow a year. The median last spring freeze (32°F) is April 2 and the median first fall freeze is Nov. 10, a growing season of about 224 days. From NOAA’s Philadelphia International Airport station; checked Nov. 13, 2026.
Is it safe to plant in Philadelphia yet?
Dates from January through July check the last spring freeze. Dates from August on check the first fall freeze.
From NOAA’s freeze probabilities for this station. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring and earlier in fall than the station.
Philadelphia frost dates
| 32°F freeze | 9 in 10 years | 1 in 2 years | 1 in 10 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last spring freeze comes after | March 19 | April 2 | April 13 |
| First fall freeze comes before | Nov. 24 | Nov. 10 | Oct. 30 |
Hard freeze (28°F): the median last one in spring is March 22 and the median first one in fall is Nov. 23. The growing season between the median 32°F freezes, April 2 to Nov. 10, runs about 224 days.
Planting tender plants after April 13 means a freeze afterward in only about 1 year in 10. Planting on April 2 leaves even odds. For lawn seeding windows, see our Pennsylvania grass seed guide.
Philadelphia rain and snow by month
| Month | Precipitation (in.) | Snow (in.) | Avg high (°F) | Avg low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3.13 | 7.1 | 41.3 | 26.0 |
| February | 2.75 | 8.4 | 44.3 | 27.5 |
| March | 3.96 | 3.6 | 52.8 | 34.3 |
| April | 3.47 | 0.3 | 64.7 | 44.3 |
| May | 3.34 | 0.0 | 74.4 | 54.2 |
| June | 4.04 | 0.0 | 83.2 | 63.9 |
| July | 4.38 | 0.0 | 87.8 | 69.6 |
| August | 4.29 | 0.0 | 85.8 | 67.9 |
| September | 4.40 | 0.0 | 78.9 | 60.9 |
| October | 3.47 | 0.0 | 67.2 | 49.2 |
| November | 2.91 | 0.2 | 55.9 | 38.8 |
| December | 3.97 | 3.5 | 46.0 | 31.2 |
| Year | 44.11 | 23.1 | Average 56.3°F | |
Precipitation is rain plus the water in melted snow and ice. Snow is the depth of new snowfall. Monthly figures are NOAA’s normals and may not add exactly to the yearly totals because of rounding.
- Wettest month: September, 4.40 in. Driest: February, 2.75 in.
- Snowiest month: February, 8.4 in. Months averaging 1 in. or more: December through March. December through February bring about 82% of the year’s snow.
- Average lows at or below 32°F: December through February.
- Coldest nights: January, average low 26.0°F. Warmest days: July, average high 87.8°F.
Planning outdoor work in Philadelphia
Average lows sit at or below freezing from December through February, so plan base work, planting and seeding around the frost dates above. Frost depth and ground snow load for footings and roofs are set by your town; our design criteria by ZIP tool shows who sets them for your address. For planting beds, start with a soil test.
Towns near Philadelphia
| Town | Miles | Precip. (in.) | Snow (in.) | Median last freeze | Median first freeze |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norristown | 18 | 50.65 | 25.3 | April 8 | Oct. 31 |
| West Chester | 23 | 50.93 | 30.5 | April 26 | Oct. 18 |
| Sellersville | 34 | 51.68 | 21.7 | April 26 | Oct. 17 |
| Coatesville | 34 | 52.12 | 31.9 | April 19 | Oct. 25 |
| New Holland | 47 | 46.84 | 33.5 | April 14 | Nov. 1 |
| Allentown | 55 | 47.36 | 33.1 | April 20 | Oct. 24 |
Miles are straight-line distances between NOAA stations. See every town on our Pennsylvania rainfall and snowfall by town chart.
Questions
How much snow does Philadelphia, PA get a year?
Philadelphia averages 23.1 in. of snow a year, per NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for its Philadelphia International Airport station. The snowiest month is February, at 8.4 in.
How much rain does Philadelphia, PA get a year?
Philadelphia averages 44.11 in. of precipitation a year, counting rain and melted snow. The wettest month is September, at 4.40 in.
When is the last frost in Philadelphia, PA?
The median last 32°F freeze in Philadelphia is April 2. In 1 year in 10 it comes after April 13, and in 9 years in 10 after March 19.
When is the first frost in Philadelphia, PA?
The median first 32°F freeze in Philadelphia is Nov. 10. In 1 year in 10 it comes before Oct. 30, and in 9 years in 10 before Nov. 24.
How long is the growing season in Philadelphia?
About 224 days between the median last and first 32°F freezes, April 2 to Nov. 10.
What is the coldest month in Philadelphia?
January, with an average low of 26.0°F and an average high of 41.3°F.
About this data
Station: NOAA’s Philadelphia International Airport station (GHCN USW00013739), at the airport, elevation 10 ft, 39.868° N, 75.231° W. These are NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, 30-year averages that NOAA recomputes every 10 years. NOAA rates this station’s precipitation normals standard, its snow normals standard and its temperature and freeze normals standard. Standard means at least 24 years of data, with missing months filled from nearby stations.
Your yard can differ from the station. Elevation, valleys and hillsides change how much snow falls and when the first and last freezes come.
Sources: NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals; annual and seasonal normals for USW00013739; monthly normals for USW00013739; NOAA normals file documentation. Checked Nov. 13, 2026.
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Muthler Landscaping & Construction LLC · 913 Bellefonte Ave, Lock Haven, PA 17745 · (570) 397-9800 · PA HIC #PA212584. Climate data from NOAA; not a forecast.
Using this guide? Link to it or cite it. It's free to use with a link back, and we keep it updated against official sources.
Cite as: Muthler Landscaping & Construction, “Philadelphia, PA Rainfall, Snowfall and Frost Dates,” https://muthlerlandscaping.com/state-guides/pennsylvania/climate/philadelphia/ (last checked November 13, 2026).
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