Climate of Virginia
The climate of Virginia, a state on the east coast of the United States, is mild compared to more northern areas of the United States such as New England and the Midwest. Most of Virginia east of the Blue Ridge mountains, the southern part of the Shenandoah Valley, and the Roanoke Valley, has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa). In the mountainous areas west of the Blue Ridge, the climate is warm-summer humid continental (Köppen Dfb) or oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb).[1][2] Severe weather, in the form of tornadoes, tropical cyclones, and winter storms, impacts the state on a regular basis. Central Virginia received significant snowfall of 20 inches in December 2009.
Climate zones
[edit]The USDA Hardiness Zones for Virginia range from Zone 5A (-20°F to -15°F) in the mountains, to Zone 8A (10°F to 15°F) along the coast.
A lot of variations occur because of the state's significant relief. Elevations in Virginia vary from sea level to Mount Rogers at 5,729 ft (1,746 m) above sea level, with major gradations occurring at the edges of the Atlantic Ocean, the end of the Piedmont, and the Blue Ridge and Allegheny chains of the Appalachian Mountains. The moderating influence of the ocean from the east, powered by the Gulf Stream, also creates the potential for hurricanes near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. Cold air masses arrive over the mountains, especially in winter, which can lead to significant snowfalls when coastal storms known as noreasters move up the Atlantic coast.
The interaction of these elements with the state's topography create micro-climates in the Shenandoah Valley, the mountainous southwest, and the coastal plains that are slightly but noticeably distinct from each other.[3]
Statistics for selected cities
[edit]The highest recorded temperature is 110 °F (43 °C) at Balcony Falls on July 15, 1954, and the lowest recorded temperature is −30 °F (−34 °C) at Mountain Lake on January 22, 1985.[4]
| Climate data for Lynchburg, Virginia (Lynchburg Regional Airport), 1991–2020 normals,[a] extremes 1893–present[b] | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 80 (27) |
82 (28) |
92 (33) |
95 (35) |
100 (38) |
104 (40) |
106 (41) |
105 (41) |
102 (39) |
98 (37) |
84 (29) |
79 (26) |
106 (41) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 67 (19) |
70 (21) |
79 (26) |
86 (30) |
89 (32) |
93 (34) |
95 (35) |
94 (34) |
90 (32) |
84 (29) |
75 (24) |
68 (20) |
96 (36) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 46.0 (7.8) |
49.6 (9.8) |
58.2 (14.6) |
68.8 (20.4) |
75.9 (24.4) |
83.2 (28.4) |
86.9 (30.5) |
85.2 (29.6) |
78.9 (26.1) |
68.9 (20.5) |
58.2 (14.6) |
49.0 (9.4) |
67.4 (19.7) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 35.9 (2.2) |
38.8 (3.8) |
46.4 (8.0) |
56.1 (13.4) |
64.2 (17.9) |
72.0 (22.2) |
76.0 (24.4) |
74.5 (23.6) |
68.0 (20.0) |
57.0 (13.9) |
46.5 (8.1) |
38.9 (3.8) |
56.2 (13.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 25.8 (−3.4) |
28.0 (−2.2) |
34.6 (1.4) |
43.5 (6.4) |
52.5 (11.4) |
60.7 (15.9) |
65.0 (18.3) |
63.8 (17.7) |
57.1 (13.9) |
45.1 (7.3) |
34.8 (1.6) |
28.9 (−1.7) |
45.0 (7.2) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 7 (−14) |
12 (−11) |
18 (−8) |
29 (−2) |
38 (3) |
50 (10) |
56 (13) |
55 (13) |
43 (6) |
30 (−1) |
21 (−6) |
14 (−10) |
5 (−15) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −10 (−23) |
−11 (−24) |
5 (−15) |
20 (−7) |
30 (−1) |
40 (4) |
49 (9) |
45 (7) |
35 (2) |
21 (−6) |
8 (−13) |
−4 (−20) |
−11 (−24) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.46 (88) |
2.91 (74) |
3.76 (96) |
3.45 (88) |
3.98 (101) |
3.82 (97) |
4.19 (106) |
3.22 (82) |
3.96 (101) |
3.12 (79) |
3.39 (86) |
3.50 (89) |
42.76 (1,086) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 3.5 (8.9) |
3.6 (9.1) |
2.4 (6.1) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
2.0 (5.1) |
11.6 (29) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 9.9 | 9.5 | 11.1 | 10.2 | 12.1 | 10.9 | 11.8 | 9.7 | 8.5 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 9.4 | 118.9 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 5.7 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 167.0 | 168.2 | 221.7 | 243.7 | 272.3 | 287.5 | 273.4 | 256.6 | 226.5 | 215.4 | 169.6 | 155.9 | 2,657.8 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 54 | 56 | 60 | 62 | 62 | 65 | 61 | 61 | 61 | 62 | 55 | 52 | 60 |
| Source: NOAA (sun 1961–1990)[5][6][7] | |||||||||||||
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record high °F (°C) | 84 (29) |
82 (28) |
92 (33) |
97 (36) |
100 (38) |
102 (39) |
105 (41) |
105 (41) |
100 (38) |
95 (35) |
86 (30) |
82 (28) |
105 (41) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 72.4 (22.4) |
74.3 (23.5) |
80.7 (27.1) |
86.9 (30.5) |
91.5 (33.1) |
95.7 (35.4) |
98.4 (36.9) |
95.3 (35.2) |
92.0 (33.3) |
86.0 (30.0) |
78.9 (26.1) |
73.4 (23.0) |
99.3 (37.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 50.7 (10.4) |
53.4 (11.9) |
60.1 (15.6) |
70.0 (21.1) |
77.4 (25.2) |
85.2 (29.6) |
89.4 (31.9) |
86.9 (30.5) |
81.4 (27.4) |
72.3 (22.4) |
62.1 (16.7) |
54.7 (12.6) |
70.3 (21.3) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 42.2 (5.7) |
44.2 (6.8) |
50.7 (10.4) |
60.1 (15.6) |
68.3 (20.2) |
76.7 (24.8) |
81.1 (27.3) |
79.2 (26.2) |
74.0 (23.3) |
63.7 (17.6) |
53.3 (11.8) |
46.1 (7.8) |
61.6 (16.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 33.6 (0.9) |
35.1 (1.7) |
41.3 (5.2) |
50.1 (10.1) |
59.1 (15.1) |
68.1 (20.1) |
72.8 (22.7) |
71.6 (22.0) |
66.6 (19.2) |
55.1 (12.8) |
44.4 (6.9) |
37.6 (3.1) |
52.9 (11.6) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 18.7 (−7.4) |
21.6 (−5.8) |
27.4 (−2.6) |
37.0 (2.8) |
46.9 (8.3) |
56.0 (13.3) |
64.7 (18.2) |
63.7 (17.6) |
55.5 (13.1) |
40.4 (4.7) |
29.8 (−1.2) |
23.9 (−4.5) |
16.8 (−8.4) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −3 (−19) |
2 (−17) |
14 (−10) |
23 (−5) |
36 (2) |
45 (7) |
54 (12) |
49 (9) |
40 (4) |
27 (−3) |
17 (−8) |
5 (−15) |
−3 (−19) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.41 (87) |
2.90 (74) |
3.69 (94) |
3.37 (86) |
3.78 (96) |
4.43 (113) |
6.08 (154) |
5.88 (149) |
5.40 (137) |
3.86 (98) |
3.10 (79) |
3.28 (83) |
49.18 (1,249) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 3.2 (8.1) |
1.5 (3.8) |
0.4 (1.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
1.1 (2.8) |
6.2 (16) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 10.7 | 9.2 | 10.9 | 10.0 | 11.2 | 9.7 | 10.6 | 10.2 | 9.4 | 7.7 | 8.9 | 9.9 | 118.4 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 1.7 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 4.0 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 66.3 | 65.6 | 64.6 | 62.8 | 68.8 | 70.6 | 73.3 | 75.2 | 74.4 | 72.1 | 68.5 | 67.0 | 69.1 |
| Average dew point °F (°C) | 27.9 (−2.3) |
28.9 (−1.7) |
35.8 (2.1) |
43.2 (6.2) |
54.5 (12.5) |
63.1 (17.3) |
68.2 (20.1) |
68.0 (20.0) |
62.4 (16.9) |
51.3 (10.7) |
41.7 (5.4) |
32.7 (0.4) |
48.1 (9.0) |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 171.5 | 175.2 | 229.3 | 252.8 | 271.7 | 280.1 | 278.3 | 260.4 | 231.4 | 208.3 | 175.7 | 160.4 | 2,695.1 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 56 | 58 | 62 | 64 | 62 | 64 | 62 | 62 | 62 | 60 | 57 | 53 | 61 |
| Average ultraviolet index | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Source 1: NOAA (relative humidity and sun 1961–1990)[8][9][10] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Weather Atlas (UV)[11] | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Richmond International Airport, Virginia (1991–2020 normals,[e] extremes 1887–present[f]) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 81 (27) |
83 (28) |
94 (34) |
96 (36) |
100 (38) |
104 (40) |
105 (41) |
107 (42) |
103 (39) |
99 (37) |
86 (30) |
81 (27) |
107 (42) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 70.1 (21.2) |
72.6 (22.6) |
80.5 (26.9) |
87.7 (30.9) |
91.5 (33.1) |
96.6 (35.9) |
98.6 (37.0) |
96.7 (35.9) |
92.9 (33.8) |
86.4 (30.2) |
77.1 (25.1) |
71.7 (22.1) |
99.6 (37.6) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 47.8 (8.8) |
51.6 (10.9) |
59.6 (15.3) |
70.4 (21.3) |
77.8 (25.4) |
85.6 (29.8) |
89.5 (31.9) |
87.5 (30.8) |
81.2 (27.3) |
70.9 (21.6) |
60.4 (15.8) |
51.5 (10.8) |
69.5 (20.8) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 38.3 (3.5) |
41.0 (5.0) |
48.4 (9.1) |
58.4 (14.7) |
66.7 (19.3) |
75.0 (23.9) |
79.4 (26.3) |
77.5 (25.3) |
71.2 (21.8) |
60.0 (15.6) |
49.6 (9.8) |
41.8 (5.4) |
58.9 (14.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 28.8 (−1.8) |
30.4 (−0.9) |
37.2 (2.9) |
46.4 (8.0) |
55.7 (13.2) |
64.5 (18.1) |
69.2 (20.7) |
67.6 (19.8) |
61.1 (16.2) |
49.0 (9.4) |
38.8 (3.8) |
32.1 (0.1) |
48.4 (9.1) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 11.1 (−11.6) |
16.0 (−8.9) |
21.6 (−5.8) |
31.9 (−0.1) |
42.1 (5.6) |
53.4 (11.9) |
60.9 (16.1) |
59.3 (15.2) |
48.8 (9.3) |
34.4 (1.3) |
24.3 (−4.3) |
18.2 (−7.7) |
9.1 (−12.7) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −12 (−24) |
−10 (−23) |
10 (−12) |
19 (−7) |
31 (−1) |
40 (4) |
51 (11) |
46 (8) |
35 (2) |
21 (−6) |
10 (−12) |
−2 (−19) |
−12 (−24) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.23 (82) |
2.61 (66) |
4.00 (102) |
3.18 (81) |
4.00 (102) |
4.64 (118) |
4.37 (111) |
4.90 (124) |
4.61 (117) |
3.39 (86) |
3.06 (78) |
3.51 (89) |
45.50 (1,156) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 3.7 (9.4) |
2.2 (5.6) |
1.1 (2.8) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
1.8 (4.6) |
8.8 (22) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 10.0 | 9.0 | 10.8 | 10.5 | 11.1 | 10.6 | 11.4 | 9.4 | 9.3 | 8.1 | 8.4 | 10.0 | 118.6 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 1.9 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 5.6 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 67.9 | 65.6 | 63.0 | 60.8 | 69.5 | 72.2 | 74.8 | 77.2 | 77.0 | 73.8 | 69.1 | 68.9 | 70.0 |
| Average dew point °F (°C) | 24.8 (−4.0) |
26.4 (−3.1) |
33.6 (0.9) |
41.5 (5.3) |
54.1 (12.3) |
63.0 (17.2) |
67.6 (19.8) |
67.3 (19.6) |
60.6 (15.9) |
48.4 (9.1) |
38.1 (3.4) |
29.5 (−1.4) |
46.2 (7.9) |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 172.5 | 179.7 | 233.3 | 261.6 | 288.0 | 306.4 | 301.4 | 278.9 | 237.9 | 222.8 | 183.5 | 163.0 | 2,829 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 56 | 59 | 63 | 66 | 65 | 69 | 67 | 66 | 64 | 64 | 60 | 55 | 64 |
| Average ultraviolet index | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Source 1: NOAA (relative humidity and sunshine hours 1961–1990)[12][13][14] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Weather Atlas[15] | |||||||||||||
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record high °F (°C) | 80 (27) |
84 (29) |
93 (34) |
95 (35) |
99 (37) |
104 (40) |
106 (41) |
106 (41) |
104 (40) |
98 (37) |
86 (30) |
79 (26) |
106 (41) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 66.7 (19.3) |
68.1 (20.1) |
77.3 (25.2) |
86.4 (30.2) |
91.0 (32.8) |
95.7 (35.4) |
98.1 (36.7) |
96.5 (35.8) |
91.9 (33.3) |
84.5 (29.2) |
74.8 (23.8) |
67.1 (19.5) |
99.1 (37.3) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 44.8 (7.1) |
48.3 (9.1) |
56.5 (13.6) |
68.0 (20.0) |
76.5 (24.7) |
85.1 (29.5) |
89.6 (32.0) |
87.8 (31.0) |
80.7 (27.1) |
69.4 (20.8) |
58.2 (14.6) |
48.8 (9.3) |
67.8 (19.9) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 37.5 (3.1) |
40.0 (4.4) |
47.6 (8.7) |
58.2 (14.6) |
67.2 (19.6) |
76.3 (24.6) |
81.0 (27.2) |
79.4 (26.3) |
72.4 (22.4) |
60.8 (16.0) |
49.9 (9.9) |
41.7 (5.4) |
59.3 (15.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 30.1 (−1.1) |
31.8 (−0.1) |
38.6 (3.7) |
48.4 (9.1) |
58.0 (14.4) |
67.5 (19.7) |
72.4 (22.4) |
71.0 (21.7) |
64.1 (17.8) |
52.2 (11.2) |
41.6 (5.3) |
34.5 (1.4) |
50.9 (10.5) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 14.3 (−9.8) |
16.9 (−8.4) |
23.4 (−4.8) |
34.9 (1.6) |
45.5 (7.5) |
55.7 (13.2) |
63.8 (17.7) |
62.1 (16.7) |
51.3 (10.7) |
38.7 (3.7) |
28.8 (−1.8) |
21.3 (−5.9) |
12.3 (−10.9) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −14 (−26) |
−15 (−26) |
4 (−16) |
15 (−9) |
33 (1) |
43 (6) |
52 (11) |
49 (9) |
36 (2) |
26 (−3) |
11 (−12) |
−13 (−25) |
−15 (−26) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.86 (73) |
2.62 (67) |
3.50 (89) |
3.21 (82) |
3.94 (100) |
4.20 (107) |
4.33 (110) |
3.25 (83) |
3.93 (100) |
3.66 (93) |
2.91 (74) |
3.41 (87) |
41.82 (1,062) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 4.9 (12) |
5.0 (13) |
2.0 (5.1) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
1.7 (4.3) |
13.7 (35) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 9.7 | 9.3 | 11.0 | 10.8 | 11.6 | 10.6 | 10.5 | 8.7 | 8.7 | 8.3 | 8.4 | 10.1 | 117.7 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 2.8 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 8.0 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 62.1 | 60.5 | 58.6 | 58.0 | 64.5 | 65.8 | 66.9 | 69.3 | 69.7 | 67.4 | 64.7 | 64.1 | 64.3 |
| Average dew point °F (°C) | 21.7 (−5.7) |
23.5 (−4.7) |
31.3 (−0.4) |
39.7 (4.3) |
52.3 (11.3) |
61.5 (16.4) |
66.0 (18.9) |
65.8 (18.8) |
59.5 (15.3) |
47.5 (8.6) |
37.0 (2.8) |
27.1 (−2.7) |
44.4 (6.9) |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 144.6 | 151.8 | 204.0 | 228.2 | 260.5 | 283.2 | 280.5 | 263.1 | 225.0 | 203.6 | 150.2 | 133.0 | 2,527.7 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 48 | 50 | 55 | 57 | 59 | 64 | 62 | 62 | 60 | 59 | 50 | 45 | 57 |
| Average ultraviolet index | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Source 1: NOAA (relative humidity, dew point and sun 1961−1990)[17][18][19] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Weather Atlas (UV)[20] | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Dulles International Airport in Sterling, Virginia (1991−2020 normals,[i] extremes 1960−present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 79 (26) |
80 (27) |
89 (32) |
93 (34) |
97 (36) |
102 (39) |
105 (41) |
104 (40) |
99 (37) |
96 (36) |
84 (29) |
79 (26) |
105 (41) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 65.6 (18.7) |
67.1 (19.5) |
76.5 (24.7) |
85.8 (29.9) |
89.9 (32.2) |
94.1 (34.5) |
96.7 (35.9) |
95.4 (35.2) |
91.3 (32.9) |
84.4 (29.1) |
74.4 (23.6) |
66.1 (18.9) |
97.7 (36.5) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 42.6 (5.9) |
46.1 (7.8) |
54.8 (12.7) |
66.8 (19.3) |
75.0 (23.9) |
83.1 (28.4) |
87.6 (30.9) |
86.3 (30.2) |
79.3 (26.3) |
67.8 (19.9) |
56.5 (13.6) |
46.5 (8.1) |
66.0 (18.9) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 33.9 (1.1) |
36.4 (2.4) |
44.2 (6.8) |
55.0 (12.8) |
64.0 (17.8) |
72.5 (22.5) |
77.2 (25.1) |
75.7 (24.3) |
68.6 (20.3) |
56.6 (13.7) |
46.0 (7.8) |
37.7 (3.2) |
55.7 (13.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 25.2 (−3.8) |
26.7 (−2.9) |
33.6 (0.9) |
43.2 (6.2) |
53.0 (11.7) |
61.9 (16.6) |
66.8 (19.3) |
65.2 (18.4) |
57.9 (14.4) |
45.3 (7.4) |
35.6 (2.0) |
29.0 (−1.7) |
45.3 (7.4) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 6.6 (−14.1) |
9.6 (−12.4) |
16.8 (−8.4) |
27.8 (−2.3) |
37.0 (2.8) |
48.3 (9.1) |
55.4 (13.0) |
54.4 (12.4) |
43.0 (6.1) |
29.9 (−1.2) |
20.6 (−6.3) |
13.4 (−10.3) |
3.8 (−15.7) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −18 (−28) |
−14 (−26) |
−1 (−18) |
17 (−8) |
28 (−2) |
36 (2) |
41 (5) |
38 (3) |
30 (−1) |
15 (−9) |
9 (−13) |
−4 (−20) |
−18 (−28) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.94 (75) |
2.61 (66) |
3.50 (89) |
3.47 (88) |
4.72 (120) |
4.30 (109) |
4.15 (105) |
3.53 (90) |
3.94 (100) |
3.65 (93) |
3.13 (80) |
3.30 (84) |
43.24 (1,098) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 6.9 (18) |
7.0 (18) |
3.9 (9.9) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.3 (0.76) |
2.8 (7.1) |
21.0 (53) |
| Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) | 4.3 (11) |
4.3 (11) |
2.5 (6.4) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
1.9 (4.8) |
7.5 (19) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 10.3 | 9.1 | 11.0 | 11.0 | 12.7 | 10.8 | 11.0 | 9.3 | 9.0 | 8.1 | 8.6 | 10.2 | 121.1 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 3.1 | 2.9 | 1.8 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.6 | 9.7 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 68.1 | 66.0 | 63.9 | 62.6 | 70.4 | 72.3 | 73.0 | 74.8 | 75.4 | 73.0 | 70.0 | 69.6 | 69.9 |
| Average dew point °F (°C) | 20.7 (−6.3) |
22.3 (−5.4) |
30.2 (−1.0) |
38.7 (3.7) |
51.4 (10.8) |
60.6 (15.9) |
64.9 (18.3) |
64.0 (17.8) |
57.6 (14.2) |
45.0 (7.2) |
35.1 (1.7) |
25.7 (−3.5) |
43.0 (6.1) |
| Source: National Weather Service (relative humidity and dew point 1961–1990)[21][22][23] | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Big Meadows, Virginia (station elevation 3,540ft) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 68 (20) |
66 (19) |
78 (26) |
87 (31) |
89 (32) |
88 (31) |
95 (35) |
92 (33) |
90 (32) |
84 (29) |
75 (24) |
68 (20) |
95 (35) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 54.5 (12.5) |
57.6 (14.2) |
66.4 (19.1) |
75.8 (24.3) |
79.2 (26.2) |
83 (28) |
84.3 (29.1) |
83.4 (28.6) |
80.9 (27.2) |
73.6 (23.1) |
64.9 (18.3) |
57.8 (14.3) |
84.7 (29.3) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 36.1 (2.3) |
38.3 (3.5) |
45.9 (7.7) |
56.9 (13.8) |
65.5 (18.6) |
72.3 (22.4) |
75.4 (24.1) |
74.1 (23.4) |
68.1 (20.1) |
58.7 (14.8) |
48.0 (8.9) |
38.9 (3.8) |
56.5 (13.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 18.4 (−7.6) |
19.7 (−6.8) |
26.3 (−3.2) |
35.7 (2.1) |
45.5 (7.5) |
53.4 (11.9) |
57.2 (14.0) |
55.9 (13.3) |
49.8 (9.9) |
39.8 (4.3) |
30.4 (−0.9) |
21.4 (−5.9) |
37.8 (3.2) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −2.2 (−19.0) |
−0.8 (−18.2) |
6.9 (−13.9) |
17.8 (−7.9) |
29.4 (−1.4) |
39.7 (4.3) |
46.2 (7.9) |
44 (7) |
34.2 (1.2) |
23.1 (−4.9) |
12.1 (−11.1) |
2 (−17) |
−6.4 (−21.3) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −29 (−34) |
−14 (−26) |
−6 (−21) |
7 (−14) |
18 (−8) |
31 (−1) |
34 (1) |
31 (−1) |
25 (−4) |
12 (−11) |
−1 (−18) |
−15 (−26) |
−29 (−34) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.56 (90) |
3.06 (78) |
4.06 (103) |
4.03 (102) |
4.73 (120) |
4.71 (120) |
4.54 (115) |
4.88 (124) |
5.12 (130) |
4.86 (123) |
4.35 (110) |
3.61 (92) |
51.51 (1,308) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 10.5 (27) |
9.5 (24) |
8.4 (21) |
1.7 (4.3) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0.7 (1.8) |
3.6 (9.1) |
6.6 (17) |
41.0 (104) |
| Average precipitation days | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 118 |
| Average snowy days | 7 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 28 |
| Source: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?va0720 | |||||||||||||
Severe weather
[edit]
Severe weather is a concern in Virginia. Hurricanes make the coastal area of Virginia vulnerable. Hurricane Isabel in 2003 brought much destruction from wind and rain, killing 10 directly and doing nearly two billion dollars in damage. Hurricane Gaston in 2004 inundated Richmond after moving ashore South Carolina.[24] Virginia is often struck with the remnants of systems which hit along the Gulf of Mexico coastline, which also bring torrential rain to the state. Hurricane Camille was an extreme example, bringing 27 inches (690 mm) of rainfall to portions of Nelson County in a matter of hours.[25] Thunderstorms are an occasional concern with the state averaging anywhere from 35 to 45 days of thunderstorm activity annually.[26]
Rainfall in Virginia is frequent, but does not normally get severe enough for floods. Virginia averages seven tornadoes annually, though most are F2 and lower on the Fujita scale.[27] However, Virginia had eighty-five in 2004.[28] Western Virginia has a lower rate of tornadoes.[29]
Climate change
[edit] | This article contains too many or overly lengthy quotations. (May 2022) |
Climate change in Virginia encompasses the effects of climate change, attributed to man-made increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide, in the U.S. state of Virginia.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency reports:
"Virginia's climate is changing. Most of the state has warmed about one degree (F) in the last century, and the sea is rising one to two inches every decade. Higher water levels are eroding beaches, submerging low lands, exacerbating coastal flooding, and increasing the salinity of estuaries and aquifers. The southeastern United States has warmed less than most of the nation. But in the coming decades, the region's changing climate is likely to reduce crop yields, harm livestock, increase the number of unpleasantly hot days, and increase the risk of heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses".[30]Seasons
[edit]Winter in Virginia is characterized by large swings in temperature throughout and between days. This does not happen every day of the month, however. It may be 50°F and windy one morning, and 70°F and calm the next afternoon. Winters are cool; temperatures usually range from the 40s to the 60s Fahrenheit in December; while in January, it typically is at or below freezing, especially in the mountains and the north, but can still be mild in the eastern and southern parts of the state, with temperatures in the 50s and 60s not uncommon. Snowfall is highly variable, occurring more heavily in some years, while in others it can be almost nonexistent. The most snow-prone region of the state is the Blue Ridge. Significant snowfall is most likely in Northern Virginia.
In the summer, temperatures are hot and humid. Precipitation is slightly greater. Temperatures are not extreme, ranging between the high 70s and mid 90s; but humidity can make it feel hotter.
As for sunlight, Virginia is about average in state rankings.[31] Areas on the Chesapeake Coast and Eastern Shore are brightest, while the west and north of the state is more cloudy. On the Winter Solstice, Virginia gets between 9 and 10 hours of sunlight. On the summer solstice, it gets between 14.5 and 15 hours.
See also
[edit]- Environment of Virginia
- List of wettest known tropical cyclones in Virginia
- United States tropical cyclone rainfall climatology
Notes
[edit]- ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.
- ^ Official records for Lynchburg were kept at the Weather Bureau Office from January 1893 to July 1944, and at Lynchburg Regional since August 1944. For more information, see ThreadEx
- ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.
- ^ Official records for Norfolk kept January 1874 to December 1945 at the Weather Bureau Office in downtown, and at Norfolk Int'l since January 1946. For more information, see Threadex.
- ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.
- ^ Official records for Richmond kept January 1887 to December 1910 at downtown, Chimborazo Park from January 1911 to December 1929, and at Richmond Int'l since January 1930. For more information, see Threadex
- ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.
- ^ Official records for Washington, D.C. were kept at 24th and M Streets NW from January 1872 to June 1945, and at Reagan National Airport since July 1945.[16]
- ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.
References
[edit]- ^ "World Map of Köppen−Geiger Climate Classification" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 14, 2009. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ^ Shell, Eddie Wayne (2013). Evolution of the Alabama Agroecosystem: Always Keeping Up, but Never Catching Up. NewSouth Books. ISBN 978-1-60306-203-9.
- ^ "Climate of Virginia". Charles A. Grymes. Archived from the original on 2007-10-06. Retrieved 2007-07-30.
- ^ "Virginia Extremes". climate.virginia.edu. Retrieved 2017-02-04.
- ^ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
- ^ "Station: Lynchburg RGNL AP, VA". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
- ^ "WMO Climate Normals for LYNCHBURG WSO AP, VA 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
- ^ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ "Station: NORFOLK INTL AP, VA". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ "WMO Climate Normals for NORFOLK/INTL, VA 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
- ^ "Norfolk, Virginia, USA - Monthly weather forecast and Climate data". Weather Atlas. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
- ^ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ^ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on May 5, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ^ "WMO Climate Normals for Richmond/Byrd, VA 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on 2024-02-16. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
- ^ "Richmond, VA - Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast". Weather Atlas. Yu Media Group. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- ^ "Threaded Station Extremes". threadex.rcc-acis.org.
- ^ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
- ^ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ^ "WMO Climate Normals for WASHINGTON DC/NATIONAL ARPT VA 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
- ^ "Washington, DC - Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast". Weather Atlas. Yu Media Group. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- ^ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ "Station: Washington DC DULLES AP, VA". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ "WMO Climate Normals for WASHINGTON DC/DULLES INT'L AR, VA 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ David M. Roth. Hurricane Gaston Rainfall Graphic. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2008-01-13.
- ^ David M. Roth. Hurricane Camille Rainfall Page. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2008-01-13.
- ^ "History: Thunderstorms & Lightning". Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
- ^ Ricketts, Lauryn (February 7, 2008). "Tornadoes DO happen in Virginia!". TV3 Winchester. Archived from the original on March 14, 2010. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
- ^ "Natural Hazards : Tornadoes". Virginia Business Emergency Survival Toolkit. 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-07-05. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
- ^ "Tornado History Project: Virginia". www.tornadohistoryproject.com. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
- ^ "What Climate Change Means for Virginia" (PDF). United States Environmental Protection Agency. August 2016.
- ^ "Sunniest States 2021".
