Moderate climate load. Physical climate score and electricity cost are reported separately.
Philadelphia has a moderate climate load. Its Climate Stress Score of 35.7 is below the indexed-metro median of 37.9. The January normal low is 27.8°F, and 2 months have a normal low below freezing.
The primary planning issue in this profile is rain and exterior moisture management. The standardized 9 kW session estimate is $3.31, above the indexed-metro median of $2.46; this uses the Pennsylvania statewide residential electricity average, not a city utility quote. The selected snowfall record reports 16.1 inches annually.
For construction or maintenance work that is easier in moderate conditions, the monthly normals point to April, May, September, October. This is a climate-screening observation, not a construction schedule or permit recommendation.
| Profile | Climate | 9 kW session | Jan. low |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 35.7 | $3.31 | 27.8°F |
| Indexed median | 37.9 | $2.46 | — |
| Closest index peer: New York | 35.4 | $4.55 | 27.9°F |
Climate source: NOAA/NCEI U.S. Monthly Climate Normals 1991–2020 (direct by-station archive)
Temperature/precipitation station: USC00366886 — PHILA FRANKLIN INST (0.6 mi from city reference point)
Normal period: 1991–2020
Electricity source: EIA residential retail electricity price (2026-07)
Rate geography: Pennsylvania statewide residential average
Dataset generated: September 28, 2026
Recent observations through: Not available
Snowfall status: available. Missing values are not included in rankings.
