Climate - Richmond (Virginia)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Richmond (Virginia)
The climate of Richmond, the capital of Virginia, is temperate, with relatively cold winters and hot, muggy summers, during which there are quite frequent thunderstorms.
The city is located in the eastern United States, along the James River, 100 km (60 mi) from the Atlantic coast, and 155 km (95 mi) south of Washington. The latitude (37°32'N) is quite low.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 3.5 °C (38.3 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 26.3 °C (79.4 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Richmond - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | -1.8 | 8.8 | 3.5 | 29 | 48 | 38.3 |
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| February | -0.9 | 10.9 | 5 | 30 | 52 | 41 |
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| March | 2.9 | 15.3 | 9.1 | 37 | 60 | 48.4 |
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| April | 8 | 21.3 | 14.7 | 46 | 70 | 58.4 |
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| May | 13.2 | 25.4 | 19.3 | 56 | 78 | 66.7 |
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| June | 18.1 | 29.8 | 23.9 | 65 | 86 | 75.1 |
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| July | 20.7 | 31.9 | 26.3 | 69 | 89 | 79.3 |
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| August | 19.8 | 30.8 | 25.3 | 68 | 87 | 77.5 |
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| September | 16.2 | 27.3 | 21.8 | 61 | 81 | 71.2 |
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| October | 9.4 | 21.6 | 15.5 | 49 | 71 | 59.9 |
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| November | 3.8 | 15.8 | 9.8 | 39 | 60 | 49.6 |
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| December | 0.1 | 10.8 | 5.4 | 32 | 51 | 41.8 |
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| Year | 9.2 | 20.9 | 15 | 48.5 | 69.6 | 59 |
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Precipitation amounts to 1,155 millimeters (45.5 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 65 mm (2.6 in) in the driest month (February) to 125 mm (4.9 in) in the wettest (August). Here is the average precipitation.
Richmond - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 80 | 3.1 | 10 |
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| February | 65 | 2.6 | 9 |
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| March | 100 | 3.9 | 11 |
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| April | 80 | 3.1 | 10 |
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| May | 100 | 3.9 | 11 |
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| June | 120 | 4.7 | 11 |
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| July | 110 | 4.3 | 11 |
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| August | 125 | 4.9 | 9 |
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| September | 115 | 4.5 | 9 |
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| October | 85 | 3.3 | 8 |
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| November | 80 | 3.1 | 8 |
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| December | 90 | 3.5 | 10 |
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| Year | 1155 | 45.5 | 119 |
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The winter, from December to February, is quite cold, however, different situations arise. There are mild periods, in which subtropical air masses prevail, and the temperature can even exceed 20 °C (68 °F).
On the other hand, there can be intense cold waves, during which the temperature can drop to -12/-13 °C (8/10 °F) or even below.
The record is -22.5 °C (-8.5 °F), recorded in February 1979.
Snow occurs every year. On average, 22 centimeters (9 inches) of snow fall per year. The most abundant snowfall in one day was 34 cm (13.3 in), in January 1980 and February 1983.
The summer, from June to August, is hot and muggy, with an often unpleasant combination of temperature and humidity. The sun often shines, although cloud coverings can form, which can produce thunderstorms.
On the hottest days of the year, the temperature typically reaches 37/38 °C (99/100 °F). The record of the last decades is 40.5 °C (105 °F), recorded in July 2010.
Occasionally, between late summer and early autumn, Richmond can be affected by hurricanes or their remnants. Hurricane season runs from June to November, although the period in which they are most likely is from August to October. The city is far enough north and away from the coast not to be hit by hurricanes at their peak, however, heavy rains can result in flooding, as the James River widens into an estuary just downstream from the city.
In spring and autumn, from March to May and from September to November, the weather is variable. Spring is more unstable and rainier, while autumn is calmer.
At the end of May it can already be very hot, and in the first half of September there is often still summer-like heat.
On average, there are around 2,830 sunshine hours per year. The city receives a good amount of sunshine. In the least sunny month, December, the sun shines 55% of the time. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Richmond - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
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January | 5.5 | 170 | February | 6.5 | 180 | March | 7.5 | 235 | April | 8.5 | 260 | May | 9.5 | 290 | June | 10 | 305 | July | 9.5 | 300 | August | 9 | 280 | September | 8 | 240 | October | 7 | 225 | November | 6 | 185 | December | 5.5 | 165 | Year | 7.8 | 2830 |
On the coast, in Virginia Beach, the sea is warm enough for swimming from July to September, and it is all in all acceptable in June. Here are the average sea temperatures.
Virginia Beach - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 12.5 | 55 | February | 12 | 53 | March | 12.5 | 54 | April | 14.5 | 58 | May | 18.5 | 65 | June | 22.5 | 73 | July | 26 | 79 | August | 26.5 | 80 | September | 24.5 | 76 | October | 21 | 70 | November | 17.5 | 63 | December | 14.5 | 58 | Year | 18.6 | 65.4 |
Best Time
The best periods to visit Richmond are spring and autumn, to avoid both the winter cold and the summer heat, and in particular, from mid-April to mid-May and from mid-September to mid-October. In April, it can sometimes get cold and the weather can be unstable, especially at the beginning of the month, while the second half of the month is generally mild.
In autumn (usually, around late October), you can admire the beautiful colors of the trees losing their leaves (the phenomenon called fall foliage).
Richmond - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 3.5 °C (38 °F), with a minimum of -1.8 °C (28.8 °F) and a maximum of 8.8 °C (47.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11.5 °C (11 °F). However, it dropped to -19.4 °C (-2.9 °F) in January 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (70 °F). However, it reached 27.2 °C (81 °F) in January 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
February is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of -0.9 °C (30.4 °F) and a maximum of 10.9 °C (51.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -9 °C (15.5 °F). However, it dropped to -18.9 °C (-2 °F) in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it reached 27.8 °C (82 °F) in February 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.1 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 2.9 °C (37.2 °F) and a maximum of 15.3 °C (59.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12.2 °C (10 °F) in March 2009.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 31.1 °C (88 °F) in March 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
April is generally a very mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 14.7 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 8 °C (46.4 °F) and a maximum of 21.3 °C (70.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32 °F). However, it dropped to -3.3 °C (26.1 °F) in April 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F). However, it reached 34.4 °C (93.9 °F) in April 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.3 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 13.2 °C (55.7 °F) and a maximum of 25.4 °C (77.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in May 2020.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 36.7 °C (98.1 °F) in May 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
June is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 23.9 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 18.1 °C (64.5 °F) and a maximum of 29.8 °C (85.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (53 °F). However, it dropped to 7.7 °C (45.9 °F) in June 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, it reached 39.4 °C (102.9 °F) in June 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 70% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
July, the hottest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 26.3 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 20.7 °C (69.2 °F) and a maximum of 31.9 °C (89.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it dropped to 11 °C (51.8 °F) in July 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (99 °F). However, it reached 40.6 °C (105.1 °F) in July 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
August is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 25.3 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 19.8 °C (67.6 °F) and a maximum of 30.8 °C (87.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). However, it dropped to 11.7 °C (53.1 °F) in August 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in August 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21.8 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 16.2 °C (61.1 °F) and a maximum of 27.3 °C (81.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 5.6 °C (42.1 °F) in September 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 38.3 °C (100.9 °F) in September 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
October is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 9.4 °C (49 °F) and a maximum of 21.6 °C (70.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.2 °C (28 °F) in October 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (86.5 °F). However, it reached 36.1 °C (97 °F) in October 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.8 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 3.8 °C (38.8 °F) and a maximum of 15.8 °C (60.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8.3 °C (17.1 °F) in November 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (77.5 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in November 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
December is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.4 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 0.1 °C (32.1 °F) and a maximum of 10.8 °C (51.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7.5 °C (18.5 °F). However, it dropped to -13.3 °C (8.1 °F) in December 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 27.2 °C (81 °F) in December 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 35 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
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