Virginia Beach weather is a weird, fickle beast. Honestly, if you ask three different locals when the "best" time to visit is, you’ll get four different answers. Most people assume it's just a summer town where you roast in July and freeze in January, but the reality is way more nuanced. It’s a humid subtropical climate, which basically means we get a little bit of everything—sometimes all in the same week.
You’ve got the Atlantic Ocean sitting right there, acting like a giant thermal battery. It keeps the boardwalk from getting too cold in the winter, but it also turns the humidity up to "sauna" mode by August.
If you're planning a trip or just moved here, you need to know more than just the average highs and lows. You need to know when the "yellow fluff" (pollen) takes over, when the Nor'easters actually hit, and when the ocean is actually warm enough to touch without losing a toe.
The Bone-Chilling Damp: Winter (December - February)
January is officially the coldest month, but it’s not the snow that gets you. It’s the dampness. A 40-degree day in Virginia Beach feels a lot meaner than a 40-degree day in a dry place like Denver.
Highs usually hover around 50°F, while lows dip into the 30s. We don't get much snow—maybe a couple of inches a year if we’re lucky (or unlucky, depending on how much you hate traffic). In 2025, the city actually got hit with a solid three-inch blanket in late January, which shut down schools for days. But mostly, it’s just grey, breezy, and wet.
January: High 50°F / Low 33°F. It’s the "windiest" time along the oceanfront.
February: High 53°F / Low 34°F. Marginally warmer, but this is often the wettest month in terms of frequency.
The water temperature in February is a brutal 45°F to 53°F. Unless you’re a surfer in a 5/4mm hooded wetsuit, stay out of the surf.
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The Pollen Apocalypse: Spring (March - May)
Spring in Virginia Beach is beautiful, but it's a trap for anyone with allergies. Somewhere around late March or early April, everything turns neon yellow.
March is the real "transition" month. One day it’s 70 degrees and people are out in shorts; the next day a "Lee Trough" brings a freezing wind off the mountains and you’re back in a parka. The average high is 59°F, but the wind speed averages about 19 mph, making it feel much crispier than the thermometer says.
By May, things get legit. This is the "sweet spot."
The crowds aren't here yet.
The humidity hasn't turned into a physical weight.
The air is a perfect 75°F.
However, the ocean is still lagging. Even in May, the water is usually only around 65°F. It’s brisk. If you're coming for the beach, May is for sunbathing, not swimming.
The Humidity Wall: Summer (June - August)
If you like it hot, July is your month. It’s the hottest and wettest month of the year, with average highs of 88°F. But that number is a lie. With the humidity, the heat index (what it actually feels like) regularly screams past 100°F.
August is the peak of hurricane season. While direct hits are rare compared to the Outer Banks, we get the "tail end" of storms which means heavy rain and some wild surf.
- June: High 84°F. Best for families who want warm water (73°F) without the August heat.
- July: High 88°F. Humidity is at its peak. Expect afternoon thunderstorms that pop up out of nowhere, dump an inch of rain, and then vanish.
- August: High 86°F. The ocean is like bathwater (80°F). It’s glorious for swimming, but the air is thick.
A weird quirk: the further inland you go, the hotter it gets. If it’s 90°F at the Oceanfront, it’s probably 98°F at Town Center or out in Pungo. That sea breeze is a literal lifesaver.
The Locals' Secret: Fall (September - November)
Ask any local: September and October are the best months. Period.
The tourists go home after Labor Day, but the weather stays summer-adjacent for weeks. In early September, you’re still looking at highs in the low 80s. The best part? The ocean is still 76°F. It’s the only time of year where the air is comfortable and the water is actually warm.
October is the driest month. The sky is usually a deep, clear blue.
Highs sit around 71°F.
It’s perfect for the Neptune Festival or hiking through First Landing State Park without being eaten alive by mosquitoes.
By November, the "chill" returns. Highs drop to 62°F, and the North American Sand Sculpting Championship leftovers are usually being reclaimed by the wind.
Breaking Down the Water Temps
Most travelers forget that water temp lags behind air temp by about two months.
- Spring: Air is 70°, Water is 55°. (Too cold to swim)
- Summer: Air is 90°, Water is 78°. (Perfect)
- Fall: Air is 75°, Water is 72°. (The "Goldilocks" zone)
- Winter: Air is 45°, Water is 46°. (Survival mode)
How to Actually Pack for This
If you're coming in the "shoulder" seasons (April/May or September/October), you have to layer. It’s non-negotiable. The temperature can swing 20 degrees the second the sun goes down or the wind shifts off the water.
In the summer, pack two swimsuits. The humidity is so high that your first suit won't be dry by the next morning if you leave it on the hotel balcony. Seriously.
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For winter visits, bring a windbreaker. It's not the snow; it's the Atlantic wind cutting through your sweater that’ll ruin your boardwalk walk.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Trip
- Best for Swimming: Late July to Mid-September.
- Best for Budget/Quiet: Early May or late October.
- Avoid if You Have Allergies: April.
- Best for Hiking: October and November.
If you’re looking to score the best weather without the crowds, aim for the last two weeks of September. The water is still warm enough for the kids to swim, the humidity has broken, and you can actually get a table at Waterman's without a two-hour wait. Just keep an eye on the tropical storm trackers—it’s the only gamble you’re taking.