It's called the urban heat island effect, a phenomenon where some parts of a city can be 10 to 15 degrees hotter than others because of factors like a lack of shade or more paved surfaces. They also tend to be in more socially vulnerable spots, linked to historic discrimination through redlining.
New research from Climate Central suggests summers are not just getting hotter, they're getting more muggy as the dew point temperature is rising due to climate change. This is especially noticeable across Virginia, where rising trend in the summer dew points have increased more than a degree since the 1980s.
Virginia's weather has been described as a "Goldilocks Climate" – not too hot and not too cold – and is officially considered a humid, subtropical region due to winter frost.
The winters are usually mild, while the autumn and spring seasons usually are delightful. Summers, though warm and long, frequently are tempered by cool periods, often associated with northeasterly winds off the Atlantic.
Average Temperature in Virginia
The hottest month of the year in Virginia is July, with an average high of 77°F and low of 54°F. The cold season lasts for 3.3 months, from November 25 to March 2, with an average daily high temperature below 30°F.
Virginia gets frosts and snowstorms from the cold polar air masses, especially in January. The shortest days of winter are in December, but the coldest days come weeks later in January.
Is Virginia a good place to live? Yes, Virginia offers a steady and easy-going lifestyle ripe with opportunities. The state offers something for everyone, from breathtaking outdoor nature to incredible cities.
Severe weather, in the form of tornadoes, tropical cyclones, and winter storms, impacts the state on a regular basis. Central Virginia received significant snowfall of 20 inches in December 2009.
The cost of living in Virginia is 0% than the national average. Housing is 4% higher than the national average, while utilities are 1% higher. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 1% higher than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs 1% higher.
Heat Risk in Virginia with Climate Change
An extremely hot day in Virginia is about 93ºF. This is based on historical maximum temperatures on the top 2% of days in an average year. The frequency of very hot days is increasing. On average, someone in Virginia will experience about 43 extremely hot days in 2050.
Since Virginia was the site of the first permanent English settlement, the state is known as “the birthplace of a nation.” As well as the “Mother of Presidents” Eight Virginia born gentlemen succeeded to the highest office in the land, including four of the first five presidents.
Virginia Beach water temperatures peak in the range 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F) on around the 22nd of July and are at their minimum on about the 1st of March, in the range 7 to 13°C (45 to 55°F). Year round warm water temperatures at Virginia Beach climb to their highest in the second half of July.
Virginia's climate is humid, sub-tropical, enjoying pleasantly hot summers and relatively mild but crisp winters, with moderate rainfall throughout the year. Average coastal temperatures in July and August rarely exceed 90°F (32°C), while in winter there is often snow.
The United States Geological Survey estimates that Virginia's barrier islands could be broken up by new inlets or lost to erosion if sea level rises two feet by the year 2100. Beach erosion will threaten the oceanfront portion of Virginia Beach, unless people take measures to offset the erosion.
Virginia is the top state to retire to, according to a new study from WalletHub. Virginia has a good balance of affordability, quality of life and health care, ranking high in all three categories. WalletHub points to the commonwealth's tax friendliness to retirees and great access to adult volunteer activities.
The answer is none of the above. The state with the highest humidity over the course of the year is Alaska.
To live comfortably in Virginia, an annual income of $64,947 is needed, according to the 50/30/20 budgeting rule (50% for necessities, 30% for discretionary expenses, and 20% for savings). Virginia's median household income is $74,222, making it an affordable place to live.
Even with the wide distribution of religious minorities and diverse communities within the commonwealth, the majority of Virginia residents identify as Christian.
Winter falls between the months of November and February in Virginia. The winters are pretty cold, and temperatures may drop to lows of 18 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 degrees Celsius), especially when intense cold waves strike Virginia.
The higher elevations in Virginia are colder than the valley floors, the Piedmont, or the Coastal Plain. The precipitation at those elevations can be snow, while lower down rain hits the ground.
Purcellville
It has a population of 8,200 and is the safest city in Virginia. Purcellville's crime rate is 467 per 100,000, which is 72% lower than the state average. Purcellville is a quiet town that is popular with local artists and offers great eating options and hiking trails.
(AP) — A rare and powerful tornado sent residents of a coastal city in Virginia fleeing for cover over the weekend as it peeled roofs from buildings and pushed homes from their foundations. It was the most powerful tornado ever to hit Virginia Beach, Virginia, officials confirmed Monday.