Weather in Portsmouth, Virginia
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—84°52°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—93°64°
- MondayMay 18Clear—95°70°
- TuesdayMay 19Clear—94°68°
- WednesdayMay 20Clear26%94°68°
- ThursdayMay 21Light Drizzle47%76°62°
- FridayMay 22Overcast52%66°61°
- PM 2.5
- 7.0 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 8.5 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 2.9 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 86.0 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
- 12:30 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Portsmouth at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 5°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 28 (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
Portsmouth's warmest month is July, averaging about 83°F, and its coldest is January at about 44°F. Rainfall peaks in August at 5.8 inches and reaches its lowest point in February at 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
Portsmouth sits within a humid subtropical climate region — a group of cities sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions.
Similar climates: Virginia Beach, VA, Richmond, VA, Chesapeake, VA, Norfolk, VA, Roanoke, VA.
Naturalist notes
Eastern redbuds open their pink blooms along Portsmouth streets by mid-April, timed closely with the last spring frost.
Ospreys return to nest platforms near the Elizabeth River in late March, a reliable marker of the shift toward warmer water.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Portsmouth?
- Portsmouth's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Portsmouth?
- August is the wettest month with about 5.8 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 49 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Portsmouth?
- July is typically the warmest month, averaging about 83°F.
- What is the coldest month in Portsmouth?
- January is typically the coldest month, averaging about 44°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Portsmouth?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be sown around the last spring frost in mid-April; warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Portsmouth get?
- Portsmouth averages about 162 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Portsmouth?
- Portsmouth's USDA hardiness zone is set by its lowest average winter temperature. Check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Portsmouth, Virginia has a humid subtropical climate. January temperatures hover near 44°F while July averages 83°F — a 39°F swing between seasons.
The city receives about 49 inches of precipitation annually, falling across roughly 162 rainy days.
Latitude (36.8°N), nearby water, and low elevation set the rhythm of the year. These factors determine what can grow, when frost is likely, and the shape of daily weather.