Weather StoryAlmanac, microseasons, and the day's weather story.

Chesapeake, Virginia Weather

Dusk arrives one minute earlier each night. Day 43 of summer. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →

Chesapeake weather forecast — hour by hour, 7-day outlook, NOAA radar

Chesapeake, VA
Sunday, August 2 at 12:03 PM
86
°
Mostly Clear
Feels like
92°
Humidity
66%
Wind
9 mph
Sunrise
2:12 AM
Sunset
4:10 PM
Chesapeake, VA
Hour by hour · 24h
24-Hour ForecastChesapeake, VA: 24-hour forecast. Temperatures range from 75 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit with a 38% chance of precipitation at 5 PM.
L 75°H 88°
Chesapeake, VA
7-day forecast
  1. Today
    Aug 2
    Light Drizzle
    38%
    88°73°
  2. Monday
    Aug 3
    Light Rain
    34%
    0.12″
    87°75°-1°
  3. Tuesday
    Aug 4
    Thunderstorm
    65%
    87°73°
  4. Wednesday
    Aug 5
    Light Drizzle
    53%
    0.01″
    81°72°-6°
  5. Thursday
    Aug 6
    Overcast
    33%
    93°72°+12°
  6. Friday
    Aug 7
    Partly Cloudy
    20%
    94°75°+1°
  7. Saturday
    Aug 8
    Overcast
    21%
    95°76°+1°
Chesapeake, VA
Anemometer · 24h winds · from true
NESW
From · True
S
173° · backing 19°
Direction
S
173°
Sustained
9
mph
Gust
16
mph
Peak 24h
20
avg 6 mph
Beaufort · 3 · GENTLE BRZ
0
CALM
<1
1
LIGHT AIR
1–3
2
LIGHT BRZ
4–7
3
GENTLE BRZ
8–12
4
MOD BRZ
13–18
5
FRESH BRZ
19–24
6
STRONG BRZ
25–31
7
NEAR GALE
32–38
24h · sust vs gust · mph
avg 6 mph · pk 20 mph @ 8:00p
0102030MPHB1B2B3B4B5B6B7-21h-18h-15h-12h-9h-6h-3h-24hNOWpk 289SUSTGUST
−24h−18h−12h−6hnow
Light breeze backing 19° from the s.
Chesapeake, VA
Barometer · 24h pressure · mb
STORMRAINCHANGEFAIRDRY9901000101010201030
Pressure · mb
1011.4
+0.4 mb in 3h · steady · 29.87 inHg
Now
1011.4
mb
3h
+0.4
mb
12h
-1.2
mb
24h
-2.8
mb
Regime · CHANGE
STORM
RAIN
CHANGE
FAIR
DRY
24h · Pressure · mb
range 10111015
9951000STORM|RAIN10051010RAIN|CHG1015CHG|FAIR10201025FAIR|DRY1030-21h-18h-15h-12h-9h-6h-3h-24hNOW1014.91011.51012.1
Air sits at the threshold — small shifts decide the day.
Chesapeake, VA
Air quality
41
AQI
Good
-2 in 6h

AQI 41 (Good), driven by Ozone. AQI flat over the last 6 hours (within ±3 points). Ozone at AQI 38. Overcast through the UV peak window (cloud cover ~77%) — afternoon ozone should stay flat.

OK No precautions needed for the general population; unusually sensitive individuals may consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.

PM 2.5Good
5.8μg/m³
PM 10Good
8μg/m³
NO₂Good
2μg/m³
OzoneDRIVERModerate
81μg/m³
UV IndexModerate
5.0

What's driving it

Ozone × UV × Sky

Ozone at AQI 38. Overcast through the UV peak window (cloud cover ~77%) — afternoon ozone should stay flat.

Present
AQI 38
UV peak
5.8 at 1 PM
Sky at peak
overcast
Projected peak
AQI 15

PM × Wind × Precip

PM2.5 at 5.8 µg/m³, PM10 at 7.9 µg/m³ — typical background levels with no transport signature.

PM2.5/PM10
0.73
Wind
light
Recent rain
0h in last 6h
Pattern
background
Chesapeake, VA
Sky cover · visibility · 24h
Cloud cover
30%
MOSTLY CLEAR
100%0%−24h−18h−12h−6hnow

Visibility
53.6mi
UNLIMITED
93 mi0 mi−24h−18h−12h−6hnow
Earth · GOES-19 ABI
Full Disk · Visible · GeoColor
GOES-19 full disk Visible · GeoColor
True-color daytime, blue/IR sandwich at night
16:03 UTC · Chesapeake, VA · NOAA NESDIS / STAR · up to 10848 px
Continental US · GOES-19 ABI
CONUS Sector · Visible · GeoColor
GOES-19 CONUS Visible · GeoColor
Daytime true-color, blue-light/IR sandwich at night
16:03 UTC · Chesapeake, VA · NOAA NESDIS / STAR · 5-min cadence · up to 10000 px
Chesapeake, VA
Satellite · infrared · animated
Chesapeake, VA
Loading IR frames…
IR · cloud-top temp© RainViewer · Carto
Chesapeake, VA
Almanac · Sunday, August 2
Red sky at night, sailor's delight.
Civil dawn
5:44 AM
Sunrise
2:12 AM
Daylight
13h 58m
Sunset
4:10 PM
Civil dusk
8:40 PM
Planting note
Sow fall peas. Start kale and collard seedlings for fall.
Chesapeake, VA
The moon
Waning Gibbous
84% illuminated
Moonrise
9:47 PM
Moonset
10:07 AM
In sign
♓︎ Pisces
Chesapeake, VA
Microseason
Aug 1–5

Dusk arrives one minute earlier each night

celestial
Jan 159% of the yearDec 31

Read this microseason across nine climate regions →

Chesapeake at a glance

  • Today vs. normal: 20°F above the seasonal normal for this latitude
  • Last frost: March 27 (climatological average for this latitude)
  • Microseason: Aug 1–5
  • Planting window: Sow fall peas. Start kale and collard seedlings for fall.

ZIP codes: 23320, 23321, 23322, 23323, 23324, 23325

16-Day Forecast — Chesapeake

  1. Sun88°73°38%
  2. Mon87°75°34%
  3. Tue87°73°65%
  4. Wed81°72°53%
  5. Thu93°72°33%
  6. Fri94°75°20%
  7. Sat95°76°21%
  8. Sun92°75°31%
  9. Mon88°74°25%
  10. Tue96°73°32%
  11. Wed87°73°19%
  12. Thu92°74°27%
  13. Fri95°76°39%
  14. Sat98°77°40%
  15. Sun97°77°42%
  16. Mon95°77°45%

Forecast data from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0).

Live wind & temperature near Chesapeake

Right now in the garden

Peak growing season

As of August 2, the growing season is at its peak — frost is months away. Continue succession-planting beans and summer squash. Start fall brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale) from seed indoors for transplanting in late summer.

SPC Convective Outlook

Storm Prediction Center — Chesapeake

SPC includes Chesapeake in the general thunderstorm area today — no severe risk, but storms are possible.

  • TODAYTSTMGeneral Thunderstorms
  • TOMORROWTSTMGeneral Thunderstorms
  • DAY 3TSTMGeneral Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms possible. Not severe, but capable of producing lightning and brief heavy rain.

Source: NOAA / NWS Storm Prediction Center categorical convective outlook. Outlooks are re-issued multiple times per day; this page reflects the most recent SPC polygons covering the city’s coordinates.

Sun & seasons in Chesapeake

Chesapeake sits in Chesapeake County, where the year’s longest day runs 14h 40m of daylight and its shortest just 9h 39m — a swing of +5h 1m between the June and December solstices. Clocks spring forward on Sunday, March 8, 2026 and fall back on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

Virginia Beach, the state’s largest city, lies about 15 miles to the ENE. The nearest town Chesapeake tracks is Virginia Beach, roughly 15 miles to the ENE.

January 1–5: Frost quiets the live oaks.January 6–10: Still water thickens with ice.January 11–15: Springs begin to move beneath ice.January 16–20: Cardinal dawn calls grow bolder.January 21–25: Late January thaw pulses.January 26–31: Last freeze locks the land.February 1–5: February's lengthening light.February 6–10: Warming winds thaw the margin.February 11–15: Magnolia blooms break the gray.February 16–20: Mockingbirds resume the dawn chorus.February 21–25: Rain replaces the last snow.February 26–28: Mist clings to greening valleys.March 1–5: The green pulse awakens.March 6–10: Hibernators emerge to call.March 11–15: Dogwood and redbud ignite.March 16–20: Swallowtails emerge from winter silk.March 21–25: Light crowns the dogwood canopy.March 26–31: Redbud cascades over the thaw.April 1–5: Thunder announces the wet season.April 6–10: Barn swallows carve the warming sky.April 11–15: Magnolia blooms and falls in a breath.April 16–20: First rainbows arch over thunderheads.April 21–25: Reeds push through marsh water.April 26–30: Frost retreats; seedlings rise free.May 1–5: Warblers flood the canopy in waves.May 6–10: Tulip poplar lights the forest crown.May 11–15: Shad pulse upstream through rapids.May 16–20: Roses open on the Piedmont edge.May 21–25: Fireflies scout the humid dusk.May 26–31: Frog choruses rise from every wetland.June 1–5: Fireflies pulse through the magnolias.June 6–10: Kudzu climbs deeper into green.June 11–15: Sun climbs to its northern throne.June 16–20: Heat settles and the rain begins.June 21–25: The longest day turns toward shadow.June 26–30: Fireflies drift through Spanish moss.July 1–5: Cicadas claim the scorching afternoon.July 6–10: Thunderheads boil and break at dusk.July 11–15: Thunder builds each drowsy afternoon.July 16–20: Cicadas claim the long noon.July 21–25: Dog days drape the earth in haze.July 26–31: Katydids begin their rasping chorus.August 1–5: Dusk arrives one minute earlier each night.August 6–10: Meteorological summer's turning page.August 11–15: Cool winds gather at the margins.August 16–20: Dog-day cicadas rise.August 21–25: Heat breaks in creek beds.August 26–31: Monarchs gather strength.September 1–5: Harvests begin in earnest.September 6–10: Dew beads on resurrection fern.September 11–15: Raptors trail the thermals.September 16–20: Day and dark find balance.September 21–25: Thunder quiets the land.September 26–30: Insects retreat below.October 1–5: Swamp waters recede.October 6–10: Maples ignite the ridge.October 11–15: Asters crown the meadows.October 16–20: Crickets sing at dusk.October 21–25: Frost paints the garden.October 26–31: Light rains whisper down.November 1–5: Sweetgum Turns Crimson.November 6–10: Camellia Blooms Break Through.November 11–15: Earth Stiffens Underfoot.November 16–20: Bare Limbs Hold the Light.November 21–25: First Frost Grips the High Ground.November 26–30: North Wind Strips the Last Leaves.December 1–5: Darkness Falls Before Dinner.December 6–10: Winter Locks the Land.December 11–15: Wildlife Retreats to Shelter.December 16–20: Ice Edges Deepen Inward.December 21–25: The Sun Begins its Return.December 26–31: The Year Turns in Silence.🌱February 14 — First skunk-cabbage spathes thaw their way up☀️March 20 — Spring equinox — day and night balance🌸April 5 — Cherry blossoms peak in the parks🐦May 10 — Warbler migration peaks along the coastMay 25 — First fireflies scout the meadows at dusk🌞June 21 — Summer solstice — longest day🦗July 25 — Peak cicada chorus in the afternoons🌊August 18 — Warmest sea-surface temperatures of the year🍂September 22 — Autumn equinox — the slow turn❄️October 25 — First widespread frost in the suburbs🍁November 10 — Peak leaf color across the Hudson Valley🌙December 21 — Winter solstice — longest night

Microseason · August 1–5

Dusk arrives one minute earlier each night

Sunset slides back toward 8 PM; darkness creeps in, signaling summer's decline though heat persists.

Day 214 of 365 · Wedge 43 of 72

The solar year drawn as a wheel of 72 five-day windows. Each wedge is one microseason; the four colored arcs mark winter, spring, summer, and autumn; the small icons sit at notable phenological events. The crimson pointer creeps clockwise as the year turns.

Planting calendar

MonthPlantHarvest
January
February
March
Aprillettuce, peas, spinach, radishes
Maylettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squashlettuce, peas, radishes
Junetomatoes, peppers, beans, squashlettuce, peas, radishes
Julytomatoes, peppers, beans, squashtomatoes, beans, summer squash
Augusttomatoes, beans, summer squash
Septemberfall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrotstomatoes, beans, summer squash
Octoberfall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrotswinter squash, tomatoes (last)
November
December

A year in weather

In Chesapeake, July runs warmest near 83°F and January coldest around 44°F, while August is the wettest month (5.8 inches) and February the driest (2.7 inches).

MonthMean tempPrecipRainy days
January44°3.411
February46°2.79
March52°3.813
April62°3.512
May70°4.214
June78°4.615
July83°5.518
August80°5.819
September75°4.515
October65°4.114
November55°3.411
December47°3.311

Regional context

In Chesapeake, NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 normals put January near 44°F and July near 83°F — a 39°F seasonal arc — with about 48.6 inches of precipitation over 162 rainy or snowy days.

Precipitation in Chesapeake runs summer-dominant: August averages 5.8 inches across 19.0 days of warm-season storms, while February drops to 2.7 inches over 9.0 rainy days of drier cool air. It is a warm-season-wet pattern Chesapeake shares with places like Portsmouth, VA, Virginia Beach, VA and Norfolk, VA.

Once Chesapeake passes mid-April, overnight freezes fade and peas, lettuce, spinach, and radishes can be sown. Chesapeake's heat-lovers — tomatoes, peppers, squash — hold off until Chesapeake's frost risk clears, 10-14 days on. By mid-November, frost is back in Chesapeake — protect or harvest anything tender. A creek-bottom lot in Chesapeake can lag Chesapeake's last frost 7-10 days behind a south slope.

Similar climates: Portsmouth, VA, Virginia Beach, VA, Norfolk, VA, Suffolk, VA, Carrollton, VA.

Naturalist notes

Late May brings the arrival of migrating Ruby-throated Hummingbirds to Chesapeake's gardens and woodlands.

Red maple trees typically complete their flowering phase by early April, releasing clouds of pollen across the region.

Frequently asked

When does it freeze in Chesapeake?
In Chesapeake, expect the last spring frost near mid-April; Chesapeake's first autumn frost comes around mid-November.
What is the rainy season in Chesapeake?
August is the wettest month in Chesapeake, about 5.8 inches on average; the year totals roughly 49 inches.
What is the warmest month in Chesapeake?
Chesapeake peaks in July, when the mean runs near 83°F.
What is the coldest month in Chesapeake?
January is Chesapeake's coldest month, averaging about 44°F.
When can I start a vegetable garden in Chesapeake?
In Chesapeake, sow peas and hardy greens around mid-April; Chesapeake's tomatoes and peppers wait two weeks more.
How many rainy days does Chesapeake get?
Chesapeake averages about 162 days with measurable rain or snow each year.
What hardiness zone is Chesapeake?
With January around 44°F, Chesapeake's zone reflects that minimum — the USDA ZIP map confirms Chesapeake's band.
What is the 10-day forecast for Chesapeake?
Chesapeake's extended outlook — daily high and low temperatures and precipitation chances for each upcoming day — is in the daily forecast above.
Will it rain this week in Chesapeake?
See this week's day-by-day rain chances for Chesapeake in the daily forecast above, and the next 24 hours in the hourly chart.
What is the weather like right now in Chesapeake?
Current conditions for Chesapeake and the next 24 hours — temperature, precipitation chance, and wind by the hour — are in the hourly forecast chart above.
How often is the Chesapeake forecast updated?
The Chesapeake forecast on this page is built from Open-Meteo weather-model data and refreshes regularly through the day.
When are sunrise and sunset in Chesapeake?
Today's sunrise and sunset times for Chesapeake are in the Almanac section above, along with civil dawn, civil dusk, and day length. Day length is longest near the summer solstice and shortest near the winter solstice.
How accurate is the weather forecast for Chesapeake?
The next few days in Chesapeake's forecast are the most reliable; accuracy declines beyond about a week as weather-model uncertainty grows.

Climate

Set in a humid subtropical zone, Chesapeake, Virginia swings from 44°F in the heart of winter to 83°F at midsummer — a 39°F arc.

Chesapeake sees close to 49 inches of precipitation annually, falling across some 162 wet days.

Chesapeake's 39°F range, set by its 36.7°N position, drives frost timing and what thrives in Chesapeake.

ZIP codes in Chesapeake

  • 23325
  • 23324
  • 23323
  • 23322
  • 23321
  • 23320
  • 23326
  • 23327
  • 23328

Climate normals from the Open-Meteo Climate API. Köppen approximation from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Regions. See methodology for data sources, editorial rules, and corrections. Maintainer: Brian Tighe.