Charlottesville, nestled in Virginia’s Piedmont, features a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The city experiences four distinct seasons, moderate rainfall year-round, and abundant sunshine. With vibrant springs, colourful autumns, and a lively outdoor scene, Charlottesville is a dynamic destination for history, nature, and culture lovers.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Charlottesville’s climate is marked by pronounced seasonal changes. Summers (June–August) are warm and humid, with average highs of 29–31°C and lows of 17–19°C. July is the hottest month, and heatwaves can push temperatures into the mid-30s. Thunderstorms are common in summer afternoons, and rainfall is moderate, with June and July each receiving about 90–107 mm. Sunshine is abundant, with over 219 sunny days per year, and humidity can make the heat feel more intense. Breezes are generally light, averaging 8–14 km/h.
Winters (December–February) are cold and can be snowy, with average highs of 4–8°C and lows of -3 to 0°C. January is the coldest month, and snowfall averages 38–41 cm per year, though snow cover is usually light and short-lived. Rain and snow are evenly distributed, and December and January are among the wettest months. Days are short and often cloudy, but occasional sunny spells brighten the winter landscape. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with mild to warm temperatures (14–24°C), frequent showers, and vibrant foliage or blossoming flowers. May and October are especially pleasant for outdoor activities, with comfortable weather and lively city events. Annual precipitation is about 1,140 mm, and Charlottesville enjoys a long growing season and beautiful natural scenery year-round.
| Average climate data for Charlottesville, United States | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 5 | 8 | 12 | 19 | 24 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 26 | 19 | 12 | 8 | 31 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -3 | -2 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 9 | 3 | -0 | -3 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 44 | 45 | 58 | 74 | 74 | 65 | 60 | 68 | 52 | 63 | 51 | 59 | 713 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 10 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 156 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 71 | 67 | 78 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 35 | 265 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 5 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 15 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 72 | 75 | 75 | 72 | 75 | 72 | 71 | 73 | 75 | 76 | 75 | 77 | 74 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 7 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 40 | 44 | 46 | 38 | 42 | 32 | 32 | 34 | 38 | 35 | 33 | 42 | 38 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
The best time to visit Charlottesville is from late April to June and September to October, when temperatures are mild (18–27°C), rainfall is moderate, and the city is vibrant with festivals, outdoor activities, and beautiful scenery. These months offer ideal conditions for hiking, wine tours, and exploring the region’s historic sites and natural beauty.
The least favourable time to visit Charlottesville is from December to February, when temperatures are lowest, days are shortest, and snow or rain can limit outdoor activities. While winter offers festive events and peaceful scenery, the cold, damp, and sometimes icy conditions may not appeal to all travellers.
Charlottesville has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Rain and snow fall year-round, with the wettest months in late spring and summer. The city enjoys abundant sunshine and four distinct seasons.
The best time to visit Charlottesville is from late April to June and September to October, when the weather is mild, rainfall is moderate, and the city is lively with festivals and outdoor activities.
Yes, Charlottesville averages 38–41 cm (15–16 inches) of snow per year, mainly from December to February. Snowfall is usually light and melts quickly, but occasional heavier storms can occur.
Summer highs in Charlottesville typically reach 29–31°C, with July being the hottest month. Heatwaves can push temperatures higher, and humidity can make the heat feel more intense.
Charlottesville receives about 1,140 mm (45 inches) of precipitation annually, with rainfall spread throughout the year. June and July are the wettest months, and thunderstorms are common in summer.
Winds in Charlottesville are generally light to moderate, averaging 8–14 km/h. Breezes are more common in spring and autumn, but strong winds are rare except during thunderstorms.
Pack layers for cool mornings and evenings, a rain jacket for showers, and sun protection for summer. In winter, bring warm clothing, a hat, gloves, and waterproof shoes for cold, wet, or snowy conditions.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (31.2 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (5.2 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 18.7 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (18.2 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-3.3 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 7.9 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is April (74.4 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is January (43.5 mm). Over the whole year there are 712.7 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is May (17.1 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is November (8.8 days). Over the whole year there are 155.7 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is March (77.6 mm). The months with the least snowfall are May, June, July, August, September and October (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 265.3 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (4.6 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are May, June, September and October (0 days). Over the whole year there are 15.1 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is December (76.5 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is July (70.7 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 74.1 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is April (10.1 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (6.8 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 8.5 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is March (45.9 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is July (31.9 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 38 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 10 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 4.9 h). Over the whole year there are 7.4 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are May, June, July and August (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.
