You’ve probably stepped outside this morning in Suffolk and felt that sharp, metallic bite in the air. It’s 35°F right now, but honestly, it feels more like 28°F thanks to a 9 mph wind coming up from the south. January in the Peanut City is always a bit of a gamble. One day you’re walking the trails at Lone Star Lakes in a light fleece, and the next, you’re digging out the heavy wool socks because the wind coming off the Nansemond River is cutting right through you.
Basically, we are in the heart of the "Goldilocks" struggle. It’s not quite the frozen tundra of Northern Virginia, but we aren't exactly sipping sweet tea in shirtsleeves like they might be further south.
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What the Weather Forecast for Suffolk VA is Showing Right Now
Today, Saturday, January 17, is going to be a bit of a mood swing. We’re looking at a high of 58°F, which sounds almost pleasant until you look at the sky. It’s staying cloudy most of the day. The wind is shifting, too—picking up to about 11 mph from the southwest.
If you have plans tonight, keep a rain jacket in the truck. There is a 35% chance of light rain once the sun goes down, and the temperature is going to tank back toward 33°F. It’s that classic Suffolk damp cold. The kind that settles in your bones because the humidity stays hovering around 43% even when it’s chilly.
The Polar Vortex Rumors: Fact vs. Fiction
You might have heard people at the local diner talking about the "Polar Vortex" weakening. It’s not just a buzzword. Meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Wakefield are keeping a close eye on the stratosphere. When that high-altitude wind circle breaks down, it spills Arctic air into the Mid-Atlantic.
For us in Suffolk, that usually doesn't mean a massive blizzard. It usually means "the messy mix."
Since we are so close to the Atlantic and the Chesapeake Bay, our temperatures often hover right at that agonizing 32°F mark. A two-degree difference determines if you're dealing with a beautiful snowfall or a slushy, icy mess on Route 58. For Sunday, January 18, the models are already hinting at this. We’re looking at a 90% chance of precipitation, likely starting as rain and potentially mixing with snow as the temperature drops into the lower 20s Sunday night.
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Why Suffolk Weather is So Hard to Predict
Suffolk is huge. It’s actually the largest city by land area in Virginia. Because of that, the weather in North Suffolk near Harbour View can be totally different from what’s happening down in Whaleyville or out by the Great Dismal Swamp.
The swamp itself acts like a giant thermal sponge. It holds onto moisture and can create localized fog or slightly cooler micro-climates that the big regional forecasts sometimes miss. If you’ve ever noticed it’s five degrees colder by the airport (KSFQ) than it is near downtown, that’s why.
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Average January Expectations
- Typical Highs: Around 49°F to 51°F.
- Typical Lows: Usually settle right at 31°F.
- Rain/Snow Mix: We average about 3.7 inches of precipitation in January.
- The "Ice Factor": We are in Plant Hardiness Zone 8a, which means we expect some serious frost, but the ground rarely stays frozen for weeks at a time.
Honestly, the "Goldilocks" climate is great for the peanuts, but it's a headache for your weekend plans. You have to be ready for everything.
Surviving the "Damp Cold" This Week
Since the weather forecast for Suffolk VA is calling for that dip into the 20s by Monday morning (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), you’ve got a couple of things to handle.
First, check your outdoor spigots. Even though we’re a coastal-adjacent region, a sustained drop to 20°F is enough to cause issues with exposed pipes.
Second, the humidity is the real kicker. In Suffolk, 35°F feels colder than 25°F in a dry climate like Colorado. The moisture in the air conducts heat away from your body faster. Layers aren't just a suggestion; they are a survival strategy if you’re heading out to the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge for some winter birding.
Actionable Next Steps for Suffolk Residents
- Prepare for Sunday's Transition: With a 90% chance of rain turning to a snow mix Sunday afternoon, get your grocery run done on Saturday while it's 58°F.
- Protect Your Plants: If you’ve got any early-blooming shrubs that got confused by a warm spell, cover them Sunday night. That 20°F low on Monday morning will be a shock.
- Watch the Bridges: Route 17 and the Nansemond River Bridge will freeze long before the main roads do. If you see that "light rain" Sunday night, just assume the bridges are slick.
- Tire Pressure Check: These 25-degree temperature swings (from 58°F today to 33°F tonight) will definitely trigger your TPMS light. Give your tires a quick check before you hit the road.
The rest of the week looks to stay cold but clear. Monday and Tuesday will be sunny, but we likely won't see the high side of 45°F. It’s the perfect time to stay inside, grab a bowl of local peanut soup, and wait for the "messy mix" to pass.