Virginia weather and outdoor projects
Virginia has a humid climate with hot summers and cool winters, but it varies from the coast to the mountains. Norfolk and Hampton Roads are milder in winter and exposed to coastal storms, Richmond is hot and humid in summer, and Roanoke and the Blue Ridge are cooler with earlier frost.
Spring and fall are the best seasons for painting and staining. Summer afternoons bring storms and humid nights bring dew. Freeze-thaw cycles in winter, especially inland, make proper curing and sealing important for concrete.
Frost dates in Virginia
In Richmond, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around April 3 and the median first fall freeze is around November 4, a frost-free season of about 215 days.
In Norfolk, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around March 17 and the median first fall freeze is around November 23, a frost-free season of about 252 days.
In Roanoke, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around April 3 and the median first fall freeze is around November 1, a frost-free season of about 210 days.
Frost dates matter for concrete, which must not freeze in its first 48 hours, for paint and caulk that need nights above their minimum, and for lawn care, since crabgrass preventer goes down as the soil warms in spring. See how late in fall you can stain, paint or seal.
Best time to stain a deck in Virginia
In Richmond, the most reliable months are May–June and September–October. April, July–August and November can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 50°F. In March, nights average about 37°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In April, nights average about 46°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. July–August is hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun. November is cool, with highs around 60°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.
In Norfolk, the most reliable months are April–June and August–October. March, July and November can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 53°F. March is cool, with highs around 60°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. July is hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun. In November, nights average about 44°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low.
In Roanoke, the most reliable months are May–June and August–September. April, July and October can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 49°F. In March and November, nights average about 38°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In April and October, nights average about 47°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. July is hot, with highs near 88°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the deck staining forecast.
Best time to paint outside in Virginia
In Richmond, the most reliable months are April–June and September–October. March, July–August and November can also work on the right days. January is too cold, with average highs around 48°F. In February and December, nights average about 31°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In March and November, nights average about 38°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. July–August is hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
In Norfolk, the most reliable months are April–June and August–October. July and November–March can also work on the right days. December–February is cool, with highs around 53°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. In March and November, nights average about 43°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. July is hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
In Roanoke, the most reliable months are April–June and August–October. March, July and November can also work on the right days. January is too cold, with average highs around 47°F. In February and December, nights average about 31°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In March and November, nights average about 38°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. July is hot, with highs near 88°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the exterior painting forecast.
Best time to pour concrete in Virginia
In Richmond, the most reliable months are April–October. November can also work on the right days. December–March averages about 16 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures. November brings about 8 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.
In Norfolk, the most reliable months are April–October. March and November can also work on the right days. December–February averages about 11 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures. March and November bring about 3 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.
In Roanoke, the most reliable months are April–October. November–March averages about 15 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the concrete pouring forecast.
Best time to seal a driveway in Virginia
In Richmond, the most reliable months are May–September. April and October can also work on the right days. December–March is too cold, with average highs around 53°F. In November, nights average about 39°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In April and October, nights average about 48°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low.
In Norfolk, the most reliable months are May–October. April and November can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 53°F. In March, nights average about 41°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In April, nights average about 50°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. November is cool, with highs around 62°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.
In Roanoke, the most reliable months are May–September. April and October can also work on the right days. November–March is too cold, with average highs around 53°F. In April and October, nights average about 47°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the driveway sealing forecast.
Best time to fertilize or treat a lawn in Virginia
In Richmond, the most reliable months are April–June and September–November. February–March, July–August and December can also work on the right days. January is too cold, with average highs around 48°F. February–March and December are cool, with highs around 54°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. July–August is hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
In Norfolk, the most reliable months are March–June and September–November. July–August and December–February can also work on the right days. December–February is cool, with highs around 53°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. July–August is hot, with highs near 88°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
In Roanoke, the most reliable months are April–June and September–October. February–March, July–August and November–December can also work on the right days. January is too cold, with average highs around 47°F. February–March and November–December are cool, with highs around 55°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. July–August is hot, with highs near 87°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the lawn fertilizer forecast.
How the weather differs across Virginia
| Place | Hottest month avg high | Coldest month avg low | Rain per year | Last spring freeze | First fall freeze |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | 90°F | 29°F | 46 in | April 3 | November 4 |
| Norfolk | 89°F | 34°F | 49 in | March 17 | November 23 |
| Roanoke | 88°F | 29°F | 43 in | April 3 | November 1 |
Of the places above, Norfolk has the most good months for staining, painting and concrete combined (19 job-months), and Richmond has the fewest (16). If you live between them, expect something in between, and higher ground to be cooler with a shorter season.
Monthly weather in Richmond
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days* | Rain | 3 PM humidity | Freezing nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F | 29°F | 6 | 3.2 in | 47% | 20 |
| February | 52°F | 30°F | 6 | 2.6 in | 43% | 17 |
| March | 60°F | 37°F | 7 | 4.0 in | 40% | 10 |
| April | 70°F | 46°F | 7 | 3.2 in | 40% | 1 |
| May | 78°F | 56°F | 7 | 4.0 in | 48% | 0 |
| June | 86°F | 65°F | 7 | 4.6 in | 49% | 0 |
| July | 90°F | 69°F | 8 | 4.4 in | 50% | 0 |
| August | 88°F | 68°F | 7 | 4.9 in | 52% | 0 |
| September | 81°F | 61°F | 6 | 4.6 in | 52% | 0 |
| October | 71°F | 49°F | 5 | 3.4 in | 49% | 0 |
| November | 60°F | 39°F | 5 | 3.1 in | 46% | 8 |
| December | 52°F | 32°F | 6 | 3.5 in | 49% | 17 |
*Days with at least 0.1 inch of rain or melted snow. Freezing nights: average nights a month at or below 32°F. Humidity is calculated from NOAA hourly normal temperature and dew point at 3 PM.
Monthly weather in Norfolk
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days* | Rain | 3 PM humidity | Freezing nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 51°F | 34°F | 6 | 3.4 in | 54% | 14 |
| February | 53°F | 35°F | 6 | 2.9 in | 50% | 10 |
| March | 60°F | 41°F | 7 | 3.7 in | 49% | 4 |
| April | 70°F | 50°F | 6 | 3.4 in | 49% | 0 |
| May | 77°F | 59°F | 7 | 3.8 in | 54% | 0 |
| June | 85°F | 68°F | 6 | 4.4 in | 56% | 0 |
| July | 89°F | 73°F | 7 | 6.1 in | 57% | 0 |
| August | 87°F | 72°F | 7 | 5.9 in | 60% | 0 |
| September | 81°F | 67°F | 6 | 5.4 in | 61% | 0 |
| October | 72°F | 55°F | 5 | 3.9 in | 56% | 0 |
| November | 62°F | 44°F | 5 | 3.1 in | 54% | 3 |
| December | 55°F | 38°F | 6 | 3.3 in | 56% | 9 |
Monthly weather in Roanoke
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days* | Rain | 3 PM humidity | Freezing nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47°F | 29°F | 6 | 3.2 in | 45% | 21 |
| February | 51°F | 31°F | 5 | 2.9 in | 41% | 17 |
| March | 59°F | 38°F | 7 | 3.5 in | 38% | 10 |
| April | 70°F | 46°F | 6 | 3.5 in | 39% | 1 |
| May | 77°F | 55°F | 8 | 4.3 in | 47% | 0 |
| June | 84°F | 63°F | 7 | 4.7 in | 51% | 0 |
| July | 88°F | 67°F | 7 | 4.3 in | 50% | 0 |
| August | 87°F | 66°F | 6 | 3.4 in | 51% | 0 |
| September | 80°F | 59°F | 6 | 4.1 in | 50% | 0 |
| October | 70°F | 48°F | 5 | 3.0 in | 46% | 1 |
| November | 59°F | 38°F | 5 | 3.0 in | 43% | 9 |
| December | 50°F | 32°F | 6 | 3.1 in | 48% | 18 |
Use the averages, then check the forecast
These ratings describe a typical month, not a particular week. A warm spell in a “poor” month can give you a good day, and a wet week can spoil a “good” one. Use this page to plan the season, then check the 7-day forecast for your ZIP code before you buy materials or book help. Each project forecast checks the hours after you finish too: overnight lows, dew and rain that would ruin fresh stain, paint, sealer or concrete.
About this data
Monthly temperatures, rain days, snowfall and freeze dates are NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) U.S. Climate Normals for 1991–2020 at RICHMOND INTL AP, NORFOLK INTL AP, ROANOKE RGNL AP. Ratings apply the same temperature limits as our forecasts (for example, 50°F or warmer for deck stain and driveway sealer, and no freezing nights for new concrete) to the average month. Your product label always takes priority.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to stain a deck in Virginia?
In Richmond, May–June and September–October. In Norfolk, April–June and August–October. In Roanoke, May–June and August–September. Look for at least 24 dry hours before and after, and nights above about 40°F. The deck staining forecast checks your exact week.
When is the last frost in Virginia?
Richmond: around April 3; Norfolk: around March 17; Roanoke: around April 3. These are median dates from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, so a freeze after them happens in about half of years. Low spots and valleys freeze later in spring.
Can you pour concrete in winter in Virginia?
Yes, but it needs cold-weather practices. Richmond averages about 55 freezing nights from December to February, so fresh concrete needs insulated blankets, a heated enclosure or an accelerated mix, and must not freeze in the first 48 hours. Many homeowners wait for spring.
What months are best for sealing a driveway in Virginia?
In Richmond, May–September. In Norfolk, May–October. In Roanoke, May–September. Most sealers need 50°F or warmer for 24 hours and a dry day after. See the driveway sealing forecast.