Philadelphia receives around 1,120 mm (about 44 inches) of rain a year, fairly evenly spread across the seasons, with both winter nor’easters and summer thunderstorms contributing meaningfully to the total. The Schuylkill and Delaware rivers running through the city have a documented history of flooding during periods of sustained heavy rain, and remnants of tropical systems moving up the East Coast occasionally add significant rainfall on top of routine weather. Summer convective storms can be intense, bringing damaging wind and hail. Because both slow river flooding and fast summer storms matter here, radar is most useful for tracking the faster-developing local cells. NWS Doppler radar KDIX (Philadelphia/Mount Holly, NJ) covers the region.
Learn more: How Does Rain Radar Work? · Open the full Rain Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it raining in Philadelphia right now?
The live radar map above shows precipitation over Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in real time. Blue shades indicate light rain, while yellow, orange, and red mark heavier downpours. If no colored echoes appear over Philadelphia, no significant rain is currently being detected.
How often does the Philadelphia rain radar update?
The radar refreshes continuously, typically every few minutes, so the map reflects current conditions rather than an hours-old forecast. Press play to animate the most recent frames.
Can I see if a storm is heading toward Philadelphia?
Yes. Press play on the radar to animate the last few hours of rainfall and watch which way rain cells over Pennsylvania are moving – the clearest way to judge whether a shower will reach Philadelphia or pass by.
Is this Philadelphia rain radar free to use?
Yes, completely free – no account, app download, or sign-up required. It works in any browser on desktop and mobile.