Reading sits in the Schuylkill Valley of southeastern Pennsylvania, in a mild pocket on the border between humid subtropical and humid continental climates. Tucked against the foot of the Appalachians in Berks County, it sees warm, humid summers and cold but manageable winters.
Summers are warm and humid, with July highs in the upper 80s and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Winters are cold, with January lows in the mid 20s and around 30 inches of snow a year — more than Philadelphia, less than the northern tier. Reading is one of the wetter spots in the southeast, with annual precipitation near 45 inches.
The main hazards are summer thunderstorms, winter ice and snow, and flooding along the Schuylkill River and the many creeks that drain the surrounding hills after heavy or prolonged rain.
Climate normals (approximate)
- Warmest month: July — average high around 87 °F
- Coldest month: January — average low around 24 °F
- Annual precipitation: roughly 45 inches
- Annual snowfall: about 30 inches
- Climate type: humid continental / subtropical border
Common questions
- How much does it snow in Reading?
- Around 30 inches a year on average — more than Philadelphia but less than the northern tier — mostly between December and March.
- Is Reading a rainy city?
- It is one of the wetter spots in southeastern Pennsylvania, with annual precipitation close to 45 inches, boosted by summer thunderstorms.
- Does the Schuylkill River flood near Reading?
- Yes. The Schuylkill and the creeks that feed it can flood after heavy or prolonged rain, with low-lying riverside areas most at risk.
Figures are long-term climate normals (roughly the 1991–2020 reference period) and are meant for context. The live readings at the top of this page always reflect current conditions.