People in Philadelphia, PA are especially likely to experience increased risks from precipitation, heat, and drought.

Precipitation risk in Philadelphia, PA is extreme. Heat risk is very high. Drought risk is significant. About 19% of buildings in Philadelphia, PA are at risk of flooding, and the risk level for these buildings is significant. About 4% of buildings in Philadelphia, PA are at risk of wildfire, and the risk level for these buildings is relatively low.

Fire and flood risk can vary significantly for individual properties within a city. Check your address for detailed heat, storm, fire, drought, and flood risk through 2050.

An extreme storm for Philadelphia, PA is a 48-hour rainfall total greater than 1.0 inches. Historically, about 18.3" of rain (or the equivalent in snow) fell over about 11 storms each year. By 2050, about 22.2" of rain are projected over about 13 storms each year. The annual precipitation in Philadelphia, PA is projected to increase from about 45.7" to about 49.5".

Extreme precipitation in any form can pose significant risks. Climate change increases the potential for extreme rainfall or snowfall because warmer air can hold more water vapor. See more information on storm risk. Property owners can take steps to reduce their risks from extreme precipitation.

In a typical year between 1985-2005, people in Philadelphia, PA experienced about 7 days above 93.6ºF in a year. By 2050, people in Philadelphia are projected to experience an average of about 36 days per year over 93.6ºF.

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heat waves, even in places with cooler average temperatures. See more information on heat risk. Everyone can take steps to reduce their risks from extreme heat.

The Schuylkill watershed, which contains Philadelphia, PA, has experienced 399 weeks (35% of weeks) since 2000 with some of its area in drought of any level, and 17 weeks (1% of weeks) since 2000 with some of its area in Extreme or Exceptional drought. Source: National Drought Monitor.

Climate change is increasing the risk of drought. Water stress (the ratio of water demand to supply) depends on how water utilities source water and their plans to adapt to climate change. Property owners can also take steps to reduce their risks from drought.

Of 542 census tracts in Philadelphia, PA, there are 42 where more than half of buildings have significant risk from storm surge, high tide flooding, surface (pluvial) flooding, and riverine (fluvial) flooding.Property owners can check a specific address for flood risk including FEMA flood zone, then take steps to reduce their vulnerability to flooding damage.

Climate change is increasing inland and coastal flooding risk due to sea level rise and increasing chances of extreme precipitation. See more information on flooding risk.

Of 542 census tracts in Philadelphia, PA, there are 77 where more than a quarter of buildings have significant fire risk, and 33 where more than half of buildings have significant fire risk. Property owners can take steps to mitigate their risks from wildfires.

Fire risk depends on proximity to vegation: densely developed urban areas have a much lower risk of burning than areas adjacent to wildland. Climate change increases risks from wildfire by creating hotter, drier conditions for fires to spread. ClimateCheck ratings of fire risk are based on projected weather conditions and U.S. Forest Service models simulating fire behavior.