You’re planning a trip to the Virginia coast and you check the forecast. It looks fine. Sunny, maybe a bit of a breeze. But if you’ve lived here long enough, you know the weather in virginia beach va is a fickle beast that doesn't always play by the rules of a standard smartphone app.
It’s a humid subtropical climate. That sounds fancy, but basically, it means summers are a steam room and winters are a damp, windy mess that feels colder than the thermometer claims.
The ocean changes everything.
The Seasonal Reality of Weather in Virginia Beach VA
Most people think "beach" and assume it's always warm. Not even close. If you show up in March expecting to tan, you're going to be shivering in a windbreaker on a deserted boardwalk.
Spring: The Great Tease
March is weird. You might get a random 75-degree day followed by a morning where you’re scraping frost off your windshield. The average high is around 59°F, but that doesn't account for the "Nor'easters" that occasionally whip through and make everything feel raw. By May, things stabilize. Highs hit the mid-70s, and the humidity hasn't quite turned the air into soup yet. This is arguably the sweet spot.
Summer: Welcome to the Humidity
July is the hottest month, with average highs of 87°F. That number is a lie.
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When you factor in the humidity—which often stays above 70%—the "feels like" temperature regularly pushes into the high 90s or 100s. You will sweat just standing still. July is also the rainiest month, seeing about 13 days of precipitation. These aren't all-day washouts, though. Usually, they're those massive, cinematic afternoon thunderstorms that roll in, dump two inches of rain in twenty minutes, and then vanish, leaving the air even steamier than before.
Fall: The Local's Secret
September and October are actually the best times to be here. Honestly. The water is still warm from the summer sun—averaging about 74°F in September—but the air finally cools down to a manageable 70-79°F. Crowds thin out. The sky is clearer. October is historically the clearest month of the year, with sunny skies about 63% of the time according to National Weather Service data.
Winter: The Damp Chill
January is the coldest. Highs hover around 50°F, but the wind off the Atlantic is relentless. We don't get much snow—maybe 8 inches a year if we're lucky—and it rarely sticks for more than a day. It’s more of a "gray and drizzly" kind of winter.
Tropical Storms and the Atlantic Factor
We can't talk about Virginia Beach without mentioning hurricanes. Hurricane season runs from June through November, but the peak is usually late August through September.
While we don't get hit with direct landfalls as often as Florida or the Outer Banks, the "near misses" are a big deal. A storm passing 50 miles offshore can still cause massive street flooding in the ViBe District or near Sandbridge. If you see "King Tides" on the forecast during a storm, stay away from the back bay areas. The water has nowhere to go.
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Water Temperatures: When Can You Actually Swim?
The air gets warm in April, but the ocean is a slow learner.
- May: 60°F (Too cold for most, unless you're a surfer in a 3/2mm wetsuit).
- June: 70°F (Refreshing, but still gives you a bit of a shock).
- July/August: 78-80°F (Like a lukewarm bath. Perfect).
- October: 66°F (The "brave soul" cutoff).
If you are a surfer, you’ll want a 5/4mm wetsuit with boots and gloves for January and February. The water drops to 47°F, and the wind chill will bite your face off if you aren't covered.
How to Pack Like a Pro
Don't just pack shorts.
If you're coming in the summer, bring two swimsuits so one can dry while you wear the other. The humidity is so high that things don't "air dry" quickly. In the shoulder seasons (spring and fall), layers are your best friend. A light hoodie for the morning and a T-shirt for the afternoon is the standard local uniform.
For winter visitors, a wind-resistant shell is more important than a heavy wool coat. It's the wind that gets you, not the actual temperature.
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Actionable Tips for Your Trip
Check the NWS Wakefield office for the most accurate local forecasts. They handle the specific marine layering that national apps often miss.
If the forecast says "30% chance of rain" in July, don't cancel your plans. It just means a quick storm might pass through. Hide in a brewery at the Oceanfront for thirty minutes, wait for the sun to come back out, and then head back to the sand.
Watch out for the "Back Bay" flooding. If there’s a heavy north wind for a few days, the water in the southern part of the city gets pushed up, and roads can flood even without a drop of rain falling from the sky.
Plan your beach days for June or September to avoid the oppressive July heat. You'll get the same tan with about 10% less sweat and 50% fewer people competing for a spot on the sand.
Keep a close eye on the tide charts if you're exploring First Landing State Park or the North End beaches. The "high tide" can significantly shrink the walkable beach area, leaving you scrambled against the dunes.