Weather in Manchester, Virginia
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:07 AM
- Moonset
- 12:38 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Manchester at a glance
- Today vs. normal: NaN°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 1 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Warm-season window is open
As of May 17, the last spring frost has passed for most years. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, and cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons) now. Direct-sow beans and corn into warm soil.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
Manchester's warmest month is July (~79°F mean) and its coldest is January (~38°F). Rainfall peaks in August (4.9 inches) and bottoms out in February (2.6 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38° | 3.2″ | 6 |
| February | 41° | 2.6″ | 6 |
| March | 48° | 4.0″ | 7 |
| April | 58° | 3.2″ | 7 |
| May | 67° | 4.0″ | 7 |
| June | 75° | 4.6″ | 7 |
| July | 79° | 4.4″ | 8 |
| August | 78° | 4.9″ | 7 |
| September | 71° | 4.6″ | 6 |
| October | 60° | 3.4″ | 5 |
| November | 50° | 3.1″ | 5 |
| December | 42° | 3.5″ | 6 |
Regional context
Manchester sits within a humid subtropical climate region — a cohort that shares similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions across nearby cities.
Similar climates: Virginia Beach, VA, Richmond, VA, Chesapeake, VA, Norfolk, VA, Roanoke, VA.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Manchester?
- Manchester's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Manchester?
- August is the wettest month with about 4.9 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 46 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Manchester?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 79°F.
- What is the coldest month in Manchester?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 38°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Manchester?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-April); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Manchester get?
- Manchester averages about 75 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Manchester?
- Manchester's USDA hardiness zone is determined by its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Manchester, Virginia sits in a humid subtropical climate zone. January means hover near 38°F while July averages 79°F — a 41°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, Manchester receives about 46 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 75 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (37.5°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation — all of which shape what grows here, when frost is likely, and what the weather story looks like day to day.