Weather in Roanoke, 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
- 10:18 AM
- Moonset
- 12:47 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Roanoke at a glance
- Today vs. normal: NaN°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 31 (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 Roanoke's highest temperatures, averaging around 78°F, while January delivers the coldest conditions at roughly 38°F. Precipitation follows its own pattern, with June receiving the most rainfall at 4.7 inches and February seeing the least at 2.9 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38° | 3.2″ | 6 |
| February | 41° | 2.9″ | 5 |
| March | 48° | 3.5″ | 7 |
| April | 58° | 3.5″ | 6 |
| May | 66° | 4.3″ | 8 |
| June | 74° | 4.7″ | 7 |
| July | 78° | 4.3″ | 7 |
| August | 76° | 3.4″ | 6 |
| September | 70° | 4.1″ | 6 |
| October | 59° | 3.0″ | 5 |
| November | 48° | 3.0″ | 5 |
| December | 41° | 3.1″ | 6 |
Regional context
Roanoke belongs to the humid subtropical climate region, sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with other nearby cities in this zone.
Similar climates: Virginia Beach, VA, Richmond, VA, Chesapeake, VA, Norfolk, VA, Newport News, VA.
Naturalist notes
Late May brings the peak flowering of mountain laurel across the Blue Ridge slopes surrounding Roanoke.
Wood thrushes return from their Central American wintering grounds in early May, filling the deciduous forests with their flute-like songs.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Roanoke?
- The last spring frost in Roanoke typically occurs around mid-April, while the first fall frost usually arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Roanoke?
- June receives the most rainfall, averaging about 4.7 inches, while Roanoke gets roughly 43 inches of precipitation annually.
- What is the warmest month in Roanoke?
- July typically brings the warmest weather, with temperatures averaging about 78°F.
- What is the coldest month in Roanoke?
- January usually delivers the coldest temperatures, averaging about 38°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Roanoke?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-April, but warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Roanoke get?
- Roanoke experiences about 74 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Roanoke?
- The USDA hardiness zone for Roanoke depends on its lowest average winter temperature; you can find the current zone designation by checking the USDA's online lookup tool with the city ZIP code.
Climate
Roanoke, Virginia experiences a humid subtropical climate. January temperatures hover near 38°F while July averages 78°F, creating a 40°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Roanoke gets about 43 inches of precipitation distributed across roughly 74 rainy days.
Several factors determine the city's weather patterns: its latitude at 37.3°N, proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These elements influence what grows in the area, when frost occurs, and the daily weather conditions.