Late summer · Weather & things to do
Philadelphia in August
Little changes in Philadelphia from July: highs stay near 85°F (30°C), lows near 66°F (19°C), and about 4.8 in (121 mm) of rain falls.
It scores 70/100 for comfort, 6th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 85°F (30°C)
- Avg low
- 66°F (19°C)
- Rain
- 4.8 in (121 mm)
- Humidity
- 74%
- Cloud cover
- 52%
- Daylight
- ~13 h 35 min
- Comfort score
- 70/100 · Good
What August feels like
Highs settle around 85°F (30°C), warm enough for short sleeves.
Lows average 66°F (19°C).
Expect regular rain: about 4.8 in (121 mm) falls in the month.
Plan around August
August is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (April & May and September & October).
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, June – August.
- Comfort improves from 67/100 in July to 70/100.
- Our Capital Cities Corridor route recommends Mar – Jun, so August falls outside its suggested window.
- Our Philadelphia, Longwood & Lancaster route is planned for Late Nov – Dec, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — August falls outside it.
What to pack for August
- Light, breathable clothes85°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Philadelphia in August
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
Isaiah Zagar's mosaic labyrinth made of tile, mirror and bottles.
Why now August scores 70/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Elfreth's Alley
Narrow lane of 18th-century brick houses, often called the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the US.
Why now Highs near 85°F and 4.8 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Dilworth Park
Plaza on the west side of City Hall with an outdoor ice rink and a lit Wintergarden in the holiday season.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Zahav
Michael Solomonov's Israeli restaurant, known for hummus and lamb shoulder.
Christmas Village in Philadelphia
German-style Christmas market in LOVE Park and around City Hall, with wooden stalls, ornaments, bratwurst and Glühwein.
Reading Terminal Market
1893 market hall with Amish bakeries and Philly sandwich counters.
Nearby in August
- Kennett Square in August~30 mi · highs 85°F, 4.7 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Lancaster in August~61 mi · highs 85°F, 4.4 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- New York City in August~81 mi · highs 79°F, 4.5 in rain · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Manhattan in August~85 mi · highs 84°F, 4.5 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
These averages also cover Broad Street & South Philly and Center City & Penn's Landing.
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Philadelphia in August: quick answers
Is August a good time to visit Philadelphia?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 70/100 against a best of 84 in April & May and September & October. Expect highs of 85°F (30°C) and 4.8 in (121 mm) of rain. Our Capital Cities Corridor route recommends Mar – Jun, so August is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Philadelphia in August?
Average highs are 85°F (30°C) and average lows 66°F (19°C), making it the 2nd-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Philadelphia in August?
Yes: about 4.8 in (121 mm) of rain falls across August on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 48.3 in (1228 mm).
What should I pack for Philadelphia in August?
Bring light, breathable clothes (85°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Philadelphia
Planning Philadelphia in August?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.