Honestly, if you’ve spent more than forty-eight hours in the River City, you already know the deal. You wake up needing a heavy parka and by lunchtime you’re considering if it’s too early in the year for short sleeves. It’s a classic joke among locals, but the data actually backs up the chaos.
Right now, as of early Saturday morning, January 17, 2026, it is 36°F in Richmond.
But don't let that number fool you. The wind is coming in from the southwest at about 10 mph, pushing the "feels like" temperature down to a biting 28°F. If you’re heading out to Grab a coffee at Lamplighter or walking the Buttermilk Trail, that eight-degree gap is the difference between "crisp" and "painful."
What to expect for the rest of today
We are looking at a high of 49°F later this afternoon. It sounds decent for January, right? Sorta. The reality is we’ve got a 34% chance of light rain during the day.
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Things get messier once the sun goes down. The overnight low is hitting 34°F, and that’s when the precipitation chance jumps to 45%. Because we're hovering right on that freezing line, the forecast is calling for a mix of rain and snow. It’s that classic Richmond winter slush—not quite enough to sled on, but definitely enough to make the 1-95 commute a nightmare.
The Numbers You Need
- Current Temp: 36°F
- RealFeel: 28°F
- Today's High: 49°F
- Tonight's Low: 34°F
- Humidity: Currently 41%, rising to 51% later.
Why Richmond weather acts so weird
People like to blame the James River, and they aren't entirely wrong. The river valley creates its own little microclimate. Water retains heat differently than the pavement in Scott’s Addition or the trees in West End.
Historically, January is our "reality check" month. While the average high is usually around 47°F, we’ve seen absolute extremes. Did you know the record low for Richmond is -12°F? That happened back in 1940. On the flip side, we’ve had January days hit the 70s. We are basically the tug-of-war rope between cold Canadian air pushing down the mountains and warm, moist air creeping up from the Atlantic.
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When those two meet over the Piedmont, you get exactly what we have tonight: a confusing mix of rain and snow that keeps everyone guessing.
Survival Tips for the RVA Climate
Layers aren't just a suggestion; they are a lifestyle requirement here.
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Since we’re looking at a southwest wind today, the air is actually slightly "warmer" than if it were coming from the north, but that humidity at 51% makes the cold feel damp. It’s that "gets into your bones" kind of cold.
If you're planning to be near the river today, be careful. The water temperature is currently hovering in the low 40s. Even if the air hits 49°F, the water is a different beast entirely. Hypothermia isn't a joke, and "cold water shock" can happen in seconds if you slip off a rock at Belle Isle.
Actionable Steps for Today:
- Check your tires. With a low of 34°F and incoming rain/snow, any bridge or overpass (looking at you, Lee Bridge) will get slick fast.
- Bring the pets in. Even though it’s not "arctic," that 28°F wind chill is too cold for most pups to stay out long.
- Waterproof your gear. If you're out today, wear a shell. The light rain predicted for this afternoon is the kind that soaks through wool coats before you realize you're wet.
- Watch the evening transition. The shift from rain to snow usually happens around 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM tonight as the temp drops toward that 34°F mark.