Honestly, if you're planning a trip to the Historic Triangle right now, you’ve probably looked at the weather forecast in Williamsburg VA and thought, "Okay, standard winter stuff." But here’s the thing about the Virginia Peninsula—the weather here is a total chameleon. One minute you’re shivering in a northwest wind that feels like it’s coming straight off a glacier, and the next, the sun hits the brick sidewalks of Duke of Gloucester Street and you’re peeling off your heavy coat.
It's currently Thursday, January 15, 2026, and the sky is a crisp, brilliant sunny blue. But don't let the sun fool you.
The mercury is sitting at 39°F, and with an 11 mph wind kicking up from the northwest, the "feels like" temperature is a biting 32°F. That’s basically the Williamsburg winter experience in a nutshell: visually stunning, but physically deceptive. You’ve got to dress for the wind, not just the thermometer.
The Near-Term Reality: Sun, Snow, and Flip-Flops?
Looking at the immediate weather forecast in Williamsburg VA, we’re in for a rollercoaster. Tonight is going to be a "pipe-bursting" kind of cold with a low of 23°F. If you’re staying in one of those charming historic lodgings, maybe leave the tap dripping just a bit.
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Tomorrow, Friday, January 16, looks like a carbon copy of today—sunny with a high of 42°F—but the weekend is where things get weird. Saturday is actually going to feel almost spring-like with a high of 51°F. It’s that classic Virginia "false spring" that lasts for exactly 24 hours before the sky falls.
By Sunday, the temperature crashes back down to 38°F, and there’s a 25% chance of a rain/snow mix.
Expert Tip: In Williamsburg, a "25% chance of snow" usually means one of two things: absolutely nothing happens, or the entire city shuts down over a dusting that melts by noon. Locals call it "bread and milk weather" because the grocery stores will be cleared out by Saturday night just in case.
A Quick Glance at the Week Ahead
| Day | High | Low | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday (Today) | 41°F | 23°F | Sunny |
| Friday | 42°F | 24°F | Sunny |
| Saturday | 51°F | 34°F | Partly Sunny |
| Sunday | 38°F | 22°F | Rain/Snow Mix |
| Monday | 41°F | 20°F | Sunny |
Why the Forecast Often Liar to You
Williamsburg sits on a ridge between the James and York Rivers. This geography creates a microclimate that frustrates even the best meteorologists at NWS Wakefield.
Basically, the water temperatures in the surrounding rivers can either buffer the cold or trap the humidity. This is why you’ll see "mostly cloudy" on your app, but you’ll actually experience a weird, low-hanging mist that makes the colonial architecture look like a scene from a ghost story. It’s moody. It’s humid. And even in January, the humidity stays around 30-50%, which makes the cold feel "wetter" and more bone-chilling than a dry cold in the Midwest.
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Survival Guide for January in the Burg
If you're walking around the historic area, the cobblestones and bricks hold the cold. Your feet will get cold first. Wear wool socks. Seriously.
Also, the UV index is surprisingly low right now (around 1 to 2), so you don't really need to worry about sunburn while you're touring the Governor's Palace, but the wind chill is the real enemy. We’ve got a Small Craft Advisory in effect right now for the York and James Rivers with gusts up to 25 knots. If you were thinking about a scenic river tour today... maybe just grab a hot cider at Chowning’s Tavern instead.
The weather forecast in Williamsburg VA for the end of the month suggests we might see more light rain and snow chances around January 24th and 25th. The highs will hover in the mid-40s, which is pretty standard for our coldest month.
Actionable Next Steps
- Pack in Layers: A base layer, a fleece, and a windproof outer shell are non-negotiable this week.
- Monitor the Sunday "Wintry Mix": If you’re driving in or out on January 18, check the radar early. Virginia drivers and even a half-inch of slush do not mix well.
- Check the Wind: If the wind is from the Northwest (like it is today at 11-15 mph), subtract 10 degrees from whatever the high is to get the "real" experience of standing outdoors for a 45-minute history presentation.
- Book Indoor Tours for Sunday: Use the colder, wetter days for the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg or the indoor exhibits at Jamestown Settlement.
Stay warm out there. Williamsburg is beautiful in the winter, but it's a beauty that requires a very good pair of gloves.