Philadelphia is in for a soaking Thursday — showers and thunderstorms are likely all day with a high near 64°F and a 90% chance of precipitation. Grab your umbrella and reschedule any outdoor plans; there is no good window to be outside today.
Today’s Setup
The National Weather Service expects rain showers before 8 AM ET, then showers and thunderstorms through the afternoon, with between a quarter and half an inch of new rainfall possible. Northeast winds of 5 to 10 mph will make it feel raw and chilly for late May. Tonight, showers taper off before 10 PM ET with lows around 53°F.
NWS forecasters note this is just the opening act of multiple rounds of showers through the Memorial Day holiday weekend, driven by a cold front stalling to our south. There is a silver lining, though: the region has been dealing with a long-term drought, and this rain is genuinely needed.
Best Window to Be Outside
Skip the Schuylkill River Trail and Fairmount Park today — both will be saturated. Friday morning offers the best brief window with mostly cloudy skies and only a 20% rain chance before showers return Friday night at 70% probability.
Phillies–Guardians Series: Watch the Radar
The Philadelphia Phillies host the Cleveland Guardians at Citizens Bank Park on Friday May 22, Saturday May 23, and Sunday May 24. Friday’s daytime game looks most manageable; Saturday could be the wettest of the series. The National Weather Service says total rainfall Thursday through Saturday night could reach 0.50 to 1.00 inches across the area, with locally higher amounts possible. Heading to the ballpark? Layer up, pack a poncho, and rep the team in a Philadelphia Phillies jersey or a Philadelphia Phillies fitted cap. It’s also a smart time to make sure your drainage is ready — gutter guards can prevent overflow during multi-day rain events like this one.
Concerts to Stay Dry This Weekend
Indoor events are the smart call. The Don Toliver: Octane Tour hits Xfinity Mobile Arena on Sunday, May 24 — grab a Don Toliver hoodie for the walk in, and Get tickets on SeatGeek if you still need them. Also on Sunday, Ari Lennox brings The Vacancy Tour to The Met Presented by Highmark — another great rainy-day reason to get out. Find tickets on StubHub before they sell out.
Rainy Day Dinner
Cold, stormy Thursdays are made for slow-cooker cooking. Load up a programmable slow cooker in the morning with chili or beef stew and come home to dinner already done. Or go classic with an enameled cast iron Dutch oven for a big pot of soup or braised short ribs. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
- Friday, May 22: High near 65°F, mostly cloudy; slight chance of afternoon showers (20%), then likely rain overnight (70%).
- Saturday: Continued showers and cool temperatures — NWS notes a marginal chance for heavier rainfall and says total accumulation through Saturday night could run 0.50–1.00 inches regionally.
- Sunday/Memorial Day: The National Weather Service expects some warming, but the pattern stays active and additional showers are still possible right into the holiday. Stay updated at the Philadelphia weather forecast as the holiday weekend gets closer.
