If you’re staring at the calendar and wondering if your trip to the coast involves a parka or a windbreaker, you’re not alone. Planning around the Virginia Beach VA extended weather forecast is kinda like trying to predict which way a seagull will fly—it’s mostly predictable until a random gust of wind changes everything. Honestly, January in Virginia Beach is a mood. One day you've got that crisp, golden sunshine that makes the Atlantic look like a diamond field, and the next, you're huddled in a coffee shop on Laskin Road because the "Nor’easter Lite" decided to pay a visit.
Right now, we are looking at a January that’s playing hard to get. The data from the National Weather Service and local stations like Oceana (KNTU) shows a pattern that is basically "variable but active." We aren't stuck in a deep freeze, but don't go packing your flip-flops just yet.
The Mid-Month Reality Check
Is it going to snow? That is the million-dollar question every local asks as soon as the temp drops below 40.
Looking at the Virginia Beach VA extended weather forecast for the next couple of weeks, we are seeing a "nickel-and-dime" pattern. Instead of one massive blizzard that shuts down I-264 for three days, we're likely looking at smaller, intermittent events. For instance, the window around January 18 to January 20 is showing a mix of rain and snow.
Highs are hovering around the high 30s to low 40s during these dips.
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- Wednesday, Jan 14: High of 58°F. Rain likely tonight. (Warmest day for a while!)
- Thursday, Jan 15: A sharp drop. High of 44°F, with a slight chance of flurries early.
- Sunday, Jan 18: This is the one to watch. A mix of rain and snow with a high of only 39°F.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: Potentially the coldest day of the stretch, struggling to hit 33°F.
It’s that weird Virginia humidity—81% on average this month—that makes the cold feel "wet." It gets into your bones. A 40-degree day in Virginia Beach feels a lot different than a 40-degree day in a dry place like Denver. You’ve been warned.
Why the Atlantic Ocean is a Giant Thermostat
One thing people get wrong about the Virginia Beach VA extended weather forecast is ignoring the water. The ocean is currently sitting at about 47°F. While that sounds freezing—and it is if you're not wearing a 5/4mm wetsuit with boots and a hood—it actually acts as a massive heat sink for the land.
The water keeps the immediate oceanfront a few degrees warmer than places further inland like Pungo or Chesapeake. This is why you’ll often see rain at the Boardwalk while people just five miles west are seeing sleet.
Ocean Temperatures and Surfing Conditions
If you're a surfer, the "Winter Wildlife Festival" isn't the only thing happening in the water. The sea surface temperature is averaging around 51°F further out, but right at the shore, it’s closer to 44°F to 47°F. It’s "ice cream headache" territory. But, the winter swells are often the cleanest of the year, especially when we get those offshore winds from the northwest.
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What Most People Get Wrong About January Travel
Most tourists think Virginia Beach closes down after Labor Day. Total myth.
While the Virginia Beach VA extended weather forecast might not scream "beach day," it’s actually peak season for things like whale watching. The humpback whales love this cold water. Between now and the end of the month, the "Winter Wildlife Festival" is the big draw.
If you are coming for the RV Show of Tidewater (Jan 16–18) or the Mid-Atlantic Home & Outdoor Living Show, the weather is actually looking pretty decent for indoor events. Expect mostly sunny skies for that Friday and Saturday, with highs in the 40s and 50s. It’s perfect "sweater weather" for walking between the convention center and your car without freezing your nose off.
Breaking Down the "La Niña" Factor
You might have heard the meteorologists talking about a "Weak La Niña." Essentially, this usually means the Southeast U.S. stays warmer and drier. But for 2026, that influence is fading.
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The Virginia Beach VA extended weather forecast is being dictated more by "high-latitude blocking" near Greenland (the North Atlantic Oscillation). When that goes negative, it opens the freezer door and lets the Arctic air slide down the coast. That’s exactly what we are seeing for the third week of January.
It’s not a "Polar Vortex" disaster, but it’s enough to keep the heating bills high.
Survival Tips for the Virginia Beach Winter
Look, it’s not the North Pole, but it’s not Florida either. If you’re navigating the Virginia Beach VA extended weather forecast, here is the ground-level advice:
- Layers are your best friend. The temperature can swing 20 degrees between noon and 6:00 PM once the sun drops and the sea breeze kicks in.
- Watch the wind. A 45-degree day with a 15 mph wind off the ocean feels like 30. If you're walking the Boardwalk, bring a wind-resistant shell.
- Check the bridges. If we do get that Sunday/Monday "wintry mix," the Lesner Bridge and the HRBT (Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel) are the first places to get sketchy.
- Restaurant Week is your backup plan. If the weather turns sour, Virginia Beach Restaurant Week is running. Focus on the food.
The Virginia Beach VA extended weather forecast suggests that while we’re in for a chilly end to the month, it’s mostly manageable. We’ll see some "white stuff" possibly dancing in the air around the 18th, but it won’t last. By late January, we usually start seeing those random 60-degree "false spring" days that tease us before February hits.
Stay dry, keep an eye on the Sunday transition, and maybe keep a de-icer in the trunk just in case that humid air decides to freeze on your windshield overnight.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
Check the live radar specifically for the "Town Center" versus "Oceanfront" zones, as the microclimates here are real. If you're planning on whale watching, book the morning slots—the winds usually pick up in the afternoon, making the water choppier and the "feels like" temperature much lower.