Norfolk, VA Climate & Monthly Averages
The climate of Norfolk
Norfolk is a humid subtropical city - hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. July is the warmest month at 87°F (31°C) and January the coolest at 50°F (10°C), over 49.3 inches (1253 mm) of precipitation a year.
Climate quick facts
- Hottest month: July - highs near 87°F (31°C)
- Coldest month: January - highs near 50°F (10°C)
- Decade extremes (2015-2024): 98°F (37°C) high · 3°F (-16°C) low
- Wettest month: September (11 rainy days) · Sunniest: July (12.0 h sun/day)
- Climate type: humid subtropical
- Annual swing: 21°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 8°C
- Snow: about 3 days a year
- Months averaging 30°C or hotter: 1
- Average humidity: 74%
Temperatures through the year
July is the brightest month at 12.0 hours of sun a day, against an annual average of 9.2. July is the warm end of the year, averaging 87°F (31°C) by day and 73°F (23°C) overnight. January sits at the other end of the year: 50°F (10°C) by day, 35°F (2°C) at night. Snow falls on roughly 3 days a year, mostly January through February.
Rain, sun and snow
Three of the twelve months pair mild highs with fewer than twelve wet days; the longest unbroken run is September through October. September is the wettest month at 5.7 inches (144 mm) over 11 days; November is the driest. The gridded 2015-2024 daily record for this location tops out at 98°F (37°C) and bottoms at 3°F (-16°C) - decade extremes, not all-time station records.
How Norfolk compares
- Norfolk sits close to the middle of our dataset on most measures: 61°F (16°C) as an annual average, 49.3 inches (1253 mm) of precipitation and 9.2 hours of sun a day.
Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.
Monthly climate table
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Precipitation | Sunshine | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 50° | 35° | 11 | 4.1 in | 6.7 h/day | 71% |
| February | 54° | 38° | 11 | 3.6 in | 7.2 h/day | 71% |
| March | 60° | 43° | 10 | 3.8 in | 8.5 h/day | 68% |
| April | 68° | 51° | 9 | 3.5 in | 10.1 h/day | 68% |
| May | 75° | 60° | 12 | 4.2 in | 10.6 h/day | 74% |
| June | 83° | 68° | 12 | 4.2 in | 11.9 h/day | 74% |
| July | 87° | 73° | 16 | 5.3 in | 12.0 h/day | 76% |
| August | 85° | 72° | 14 | 4.6 in | 10.9 h/day | 78% |
| September | 80° | 68° | 11 | 5.7 in | 9.5 h/day | 78% |
| October | 71° | 58° | 8 | 3.5 in | 8.6 h/day | 76% |
| November | 61° | 47° | 8 | 3.1 in | 7.7 h/day | 73% |
| December | 54° | 41° | 9 | 3.8 in | 6.7 h/day | 75% |
Norfolk month by month
Norfolk weather in January
January brings highs around 50°F (10°C), lows near 35°F (2°C), about 11 wet days and roughly 2 snowy days - typically the coldest month of the year in Norfolk.
Norfolk weather in February
February brings highs around 54°F (12°C), lows near 38°F (3°C), about 11 wet days and roughly 1 snowy days.
Norfolk weather in March
March brings highs around 60°F (15°C), lows near 43°F (6°C), about 10 wet days.
Norfolk weather in April
April brings highs around 68°F (20°C), lows near 51°F (11°C), about 9 wet days.
Norfolk weather in May
May brings highs around 75°F (24°C), lows near 60°F (16°C), about 12 wet days.
Norfolk weather in June
June brings highs around 83°F (28°C), lows near 68°F (20°C), about 12 wet days.
Norfolk weather in July
July brings highs around 87°F (31°C), lows near 73°F (23°C), about 16 wet days - typically the hottest month and the sunniest month of the year in Norfolk.
Norfolk weather in August
August brings highs around 85°F (30°C), lows near 72°F (22°C), about 14 wet days.
Norfolk weather in September
September brings highs around 80°F (27°C), lows near 68°F (20°C), about 11 wet days - typically the wettest month of the year in Norfolk.
Norfolk weather in October
October brings highs around 71°F (22°C), lows near 58°F (14°C), about 8 wet days.
Norfolk weather in November
November brings highs around 61°F (16°C), lows near 47°F (8°C), about 8 wet days - typically the driest month of the year in Norfolk.
Norfolk weather in December
December brings highs around 54°F (12°C), lows near 41°F (5°C), about 9 wet days.
Seasons in Norfolk
Spring (March through May)
Spring in Norfolk stays on the cool side of mild, with daytime highs averaging 68°F (20°C) and nights around 51°F (11°C); rain falls on around 31 of the 90 days.
Summer (June through August)
Through summer, Norfolk brings hot afternoons: 85°F (30°C) by day, 71°F (22°C) after dark, and rain falls on around 41 of the 90 days. Daylight is generous - around 11.6 hours of sun a day. With the moisture factored in, afternoons feel hotter than the reading suggests - the humidity and dew point converter shows why.
Fall (September through November)
Fall is pleasantly warm here - highs near 71°F (22°C), nights near 58°F (14°C), and expect showers on roughly 27 days across the season.
Winter (December through February)
Winter runs cold here - highs near 53°F (12°C), nights near 38°F (3°C), and rain falls on around 31 of the 90 days, plus about 3 snowy days.
Climate questions, answered
What should I pack for Norfolk?
Is Norfolk humid?
How many rainy days does Norfolk get in a year?
How much sun does Norfolk get?
Best time to visit Norfolk
September to November and March to April is the sweet spot for Norfolk - warm days, manageable rainfall and plenty of daylight line up. Expect 70°F (21°C) in the afternoon and around 10 days of rain in a typical month of it. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in September.
Pack for Norfolk with light clothing for the warm months, a warm jacket and layers for the cooler season and a compact umbrella or rain shell. July nights average 73°F (23°C), so evenings rarely match the afternoons.
Norfolk temperature records (2015-2024)
Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ.