Weather in Smithfield, Virginia
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—84°50°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—94°64°
- MondayMay 18Light Drizzle—95°70°
- TuesdayMay 19Clear—91°65°
- WednesdayMay 20Partly Cloudy24%91°66°
- ThursdayMay 21Drizzle63%74°62°
- FridayMay 22Overcast63%64°61°
- PM 2.5
- 9.0 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 10.0 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 1.8 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 93.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:04 AM
- Moonset
- 12:32 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Smithfield at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 3°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 29 (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
Smithfield's warmest month is July (~79°F mean) and its coldest is January (~40°F). Rainfall peaks in August (5.4 inches) and bottoms out in February (2.6 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40° | 3.0″ | 5 |
| February | 42° | 2.6″ | 6 |
| March | 49° | 3.4″ | 6 |
| April | 58° | 3.1″ | 6 |
| May | 67° | 3.7″ | 7 |
| June | 75° | 4.1″ | 7 |
| July | 79° | 4.7″ | 7 |
| August | 77° | 5.4″ | 7 |
| September | 72° | 5.0″ | 5 |
| October | 61° | 4.2″ | 6 |
| November | 51° | 3.0″ | 5 |
| December | 43° | 3.2″ | 6 |
Regional context
Smithfield 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 Smithfield?
- Smithfield's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Smithfield?
- August is the wettest month with about 5.4 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 45 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Smithfield?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 79°F.
- What is the coldest month in Smithfield?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 40°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Smithfield?
- 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 Smithfield get?
- Smithfield averages about 73 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Smithfield?
- Smithfield'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
Smithfield, Virginia sits in a humid subtropical climate zone. January means hover near 40°F while July averages 79°F — a 39°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, Smithfield receives about 45 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 73 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (37.0°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.