Philadelphia in October

In October, Philadelphia averages 20°C (67°F) during the day and 11°C (51°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 15 days of the month see precipitation (106 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.

It's peak hurricane season in Philadelphia during October. Travel is possible but expect storm risk, possible flight disruption, and generally lower travel insurance coverage.

20°C
Avg high
11°C
Avg low
15
Rain days
106 mm
Rainfall

How October compares to the rest of the year in Philadelphia

6th
warmest month of the 12
7th
wettest month of the 12
9%
of yearly rainfall falls in October
11 h 11 min
daylight on the 15th

October is in the middle of the year for warmth in Philadelphia (6th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (7th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C above the annual average (18°C). October runs 6°C cooler than September (26°C) and cools 7°C in November (13°C).

October sunrise & sunset in Philadelphia

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:10 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:21 PM
Day length
11 h 11 min

Times shown for Philadelphia local time (America/New_York), calculated for the 15th of October. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Philadelphia — October

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of October, in Philadelphia's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:10 AM – 6:50 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:50 AM – 7:50 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:41 PM – 6:41 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:41 PM – 7:21 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.

📅 When to book — Philadelphia in October

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on October's tier (Shoulder) and Philadelphia's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel. ⚠ Peak hazard season — book flexible-change tickets and travel insurance with weather-disruption coverage.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

Crowds & pricing — October in Philadelphia

Shoulder

Philadelphia is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Why this tier: excellent tourism weather peak hazard season (1 active)

Sun & mosquito risk — October in Philadelphia

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
7.4
High
Cover up and apply SPF 30+ for any outdoor activity longer than 30 minutes.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●○○
Moderate
Active mosquito season. DEET 25-30% repellent recommended, especially at dawn/dusk.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Philadelphia in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 5°C / 41°F -3°C / 26°F 83 mm 14
February 7°C / 45°F -2°C / 28°F 96 mm 14
March 11°C / 52°F 1°C / 34°F 101 mm 15
April 17°C / 63°F 7°C / 44°F 106 mm 17
May 23°C / 73°F 13°C / 55°F 108 mm 17
June 28°C / 82°F 18°C / 64°F 107 mm 17
July 30°C / 87°F 21°C / 70°F 123 mm 19
August 29°C / 85°F 20°C / 68°F 106 mm 18
September 26°C / 79°F 17°C / 62°F 101 mm 14
October 20°C / 67°F 11°C / 51°F 106 mm 15
November 13°C / 55°F 4°C / 38°F 79 mm 11
December 8°C / 47°F 0°C / 33°F 111 mm 12

Other cities with similar October weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Philadelphia in October →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Philadelphia in October?

In October, Philadelphia averages a high of 20°C (67°F) and a low of 11°C (51°F) — generally mild and pleasant.

Does it rain a lot in Philadelphia in October?

October is quite rainy in Philadelphia, with about 15 rainy days on average.

Is October a good time to visit Philadelphia?

October is mild and pleasant but on the rainy side. It suits travelers who are comfortable with mild and pleasant weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Philadelphia in October?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full October packing list for Philadelphia for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Philadelphia on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.