Philadelphia in September

In September, Philadelphia averages 26°C (79°F) during the day and 17°C (62°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 14 days of the month see precipitation (101 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 September. Travel is possible but expect storm risk, possible flight disruption, and generally lower travel insurance coverage.

26°C
Avg high
17°C
Avg low
14
Rain days
101 mm
Rainfall

How September compares to the rest of the year in Philadelphia

4th
warmest month of the 12
10th
wettest month of the 12
8%
of yearly rainfall falls in September
12 h 29 min
daylight on the 15th

September is in the middle of the year for warmth in Philadelphia (4th of 12) and one of the driest months (10th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 8°C above the annual average (18°C). September runs 3°C cooler than August (29°C) and cools 6°C in October (20°C).

September sunrise & sunset in Philadelphia

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:41 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:10 PM
Day length
12 h 29 min

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

Photography light in Philadelphia — September

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:41 AM – 6:21 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:21 AM – 7:21 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:30 PM – 8:10 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Fair
Core only briefly above the horizon — a marginal month even from dark sites near Philadelphia.

📅 When to book — Philadelphia in September

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 September'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 — September 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 — September in Philadelphia

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
9.6
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●●
Severe
Severe mosquito season with active disease transmission risk. DEET 30%+, picaridin 20%, long sleeves day and night, treated nets, and check CDC/WHO travel advisories before going.

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 September weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Philadelphia in September?

In September, Philadelphia averages a high of 26°C (79°F) and a low of 17°C (62°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in Philadelphia in September?

September can be fairly wet in Philadelphia, with about 14 rainy days on average.

Is September a good time to visit Philadelphia?

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

What should I pack for Philadelphia in September?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full September 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.