Weather in Virginia Beach, Virginia
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 17Overcast—92°63°
- MondayMay 18Partly Cloudy—95°69°
- TuesdayMay 19Clear—90°65°
- WednesdayMay 20Clear14%91°65°
- ThursdayMay 21Drizzle45%71°60°
- FridayMay 22Overcast49%66°60°
- SaturdayMay 23Overcast43%81°60°
- PM 2.5
- 5.4 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 7.1 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 2.3 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 88.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:03 AM
- Moonset
- 12:29 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Virginia Beach at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 7°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 27 (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
July brings Virginia Beach's warmest temperatures (~83°F mean) while January delivers the coldest (~44°F). Rainfall peaks in August (5.8 inches) and drops to its lowest point in February (2.7 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44° | 3.4″ | 11 |
| February | 46° | 2.7″ | 9 |
| March | 52° | 3.8″ | 13 |
| April | 62° | 3.5″ | 12 |
| May | 70° | 4.2″ | 14 |
| June | 78° | 4.6″ | 15 |
| July | 83° | 5.5″ | 18 |
| August | 80° | 5.8″ | 19 |
| September | 75° | 4.5″ | 15 |
| October | 65° | 4.1″ | 14 |
| November | 55° | 3.4″ | 11 |
| December | 47° | 3.3″ | 11 |
Regional context
Virginia Beach belongs to a humid subtropical climate region — part of a group that shares similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions across nearby cities.
Similar climates: Richmond, VA, Chesapeake, VA, Norfolk, VA, Roanoke, VA, Newport News, VA.
Naturalist notes
By late May, red-winged blackbirds establish territories in the coastal marshes, their distinctive calls echoing across the wetlands.
American holly trees begin flowering in May, their small white clusters appearing before the heat of summer sets in.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Virginia Beach?
- Virginia Beach's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Virginia Beach?
- August records the highest rainfall with about 5.8 inches on average; the city receives roughly 49 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Virginia Beach?
- July typically brings the warmest weather, averaging about 83°F.
- What is the coldest month in Virginia Beach?
- January typically delivers the coldest temperatures, averaging about 44°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Virginia Beach?
- 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 Virginia Beach get?
- Virginia Beach averages about 162 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Virginia Beach?
- Virginia Beach's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Virginia Beach, Virginia experiences a humid subtropical climate zone. January temperatures hover near 44°F while July averages 83°F — a 39°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Virginia Beach receives about 49 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 162 rainy days.
Location at latitude 36.7°N, proximity to large water bodies, and elevation determine the rhythm of the year — shaping what grows here, when frost is likely, and what the weather story looks like day to day.