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Climate in Roanoke, Virginia: Monthly Weather Averages
Roanoke sits at 1,175 feet above sea level, and its climate, as recorded at the Roanoke Regional Airport, VA station, runs to a yearly mean of 58.1°F. The warmest month is July, averaging 77.8°F with typical highs of 88.1°F; the coldest is January, averaging 37.9°F with lows around 28.7°F. Across a normal year the city receives 42.8 in of precipitation and 14.8 in of snow. The full month-by-month picture below comes from the official 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals — the 30-year averages the National Weather Service itself uses — so it describes the Roanoke climate you should actually plan around, whether you are timing a visit, weighing a move, or just settling an argument about which month is best.
Roanoke climate month by month
The table below is the complete 1991–2020 normals profile for Roanoke: average high, average low and mean temperature, rainfall, and snowfall for every month. Read down the Mean column to feel the year's rhythm — Roanoke's temperature range runs from 37.9°F in January to 77.8°F in July.
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Mean (°F) | Rain (in) | Snow (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47.1 | 28.7 | 37.9 | 3.17 | 4.3 |
| February | 50.8 | 30.8 | 40.8 | 2.89 | 4.8 |
| March | 59.0 | 37.6 | 48.3 | 3.51 | 2.3 |
| April | 69.7 | 46.3 | 58.0 | 3.49 | 0.1 |
| May | 77.2 | 55.0 | 66.1 | 4.31 | 0.0 |
| June | 84.4 | 63.2 | 73.8 | 4.66 | 0.0 |
| July | 88.1 | 67.4 | 77.8 | 4.28 | 0.0 |
| August | 86.5 | 66.0 | 76.2 | 3.37 | 0.0 |
| September | 80.0 | 59.1 | 69.6 | 4.06 | 0.0 |
| October | 70.1 | 47.8 | 58.9 | 2.96 | 0.0 |
| November | 59.0 | 37.7 | 48.4 | 3.04 | 0.1 |
| December | 50.0 | 31.8 | 40.9 | 3.08 | 3.2 |
| Year | 68.5 | 47.6 | 58.1 | 42.82 | 14.8 |
How to read the colors:below freezingcoldcoolmildwarmhot. Bands are colored by each cell's own temperature, so a whole year reads at a glance.
Roanoke through the seasons
Winter in Roanoke averages highs of 47.1–50.8°F and lows of 28.7–31.8°F, a seasonal mean of 39.9°F. The three months together bring 9.1 in of precipitation — about 21% of the city's yearly total — with January the wettest of the three at 3.17 in. Snowfall averages 12.3 in over the season, most of it in February (4.8 in). It is a genuinely cold season — heavy coats, freezing nights, and the year's most changeable weather — without being locked below freezing around the clock.
Spring in Roanoke averages highs of 59.0–77.2°F and lows of 37.6–55.0°F, a seasonal mean of 57.5°F. The three months together bring 11.3 in of precipitation — about 26% of the city's yearly total — with May the wettest of the three at 4.31 in. Snowfall averages 2.4 in over the season, most of it in March (2.3 in). The season is a transition: the average temperature climbs 17.8°F from March to May, and by late spring Roanoke is firmly into warm territory, with May rainfall of 4.31 in to plan around.
Summer in Roanoke averages highs of 84.4–88.1°F and lows of 63.2–67.4°F, a seasonal mean of 75.9°F. The three months together bring 12.3 in of precipitation — about 29% of the city's yearly total — with June the wettest of the three at 4.66 in. It is a warm, usable summer: afternoons are hot enough for swimming and lake or coast time, while evenings usually cool off comfortably.
Fall in Roanoke averages highs of 59.0–80.0°F and lows of 37.7–59.1°F, a seasonal mean of 59.0°F. The three months together bring 10.1 in of precipitation — about 23% of the city's yearly total — with September the wettest of the three at 4.06 in. Snowfall averages 0.1 in over the season, most of it in November (0.1 in). Temperatures ease off through the season — the monthly mean drops 21.2°F from September to November — and fall is when Roanoke's weather turns crisp and dry, while nights stay mostly frost-free into December.
Best and worst months to visit Roanoke
Ranking every month by its normals — mild mean temperatures score best, heavy rain and snow count against — the most comfortable months to visit Roanoke are:
JuneAugustSeptember
June leads the list: average highs of 84.4°F, lows of 63.2°F, and 4.66 in of rain, with snow a non-factor at 0.0 in. The other picks, August and September, offer the same balance in Roanoke's mild stretch of the year. At the other end, January is usually the month to avoid — the least comfortable mix of temperature and rainfall, with a mean temperature of 37.9°F and 3.17 in of precipitation plus 4.3 in of snow.
How Roanoke compares
Across the 124 cities in our dataset, the typical city averages 57.9°F for the year and 36.3 in of precipitation. Roanoke runs 0.1°F warmer than that typical city and wetter by 6.5 in a year, ranking #57 of 124 for annual warmth and #47 of 124 for precipitation (wettest first). Its year-round temperature swing — warmest month minus coldest — is 39.9°F, which puts it in the moderate, clearly seasonal camp.
Planning notes for Roanoke
For anyone relocating: average overnight lows drop below freezing in 3 months (January, February, December), so heating, winter tires, and pipe protection are real seasonal concerns; highs reach the 80s on average in 4 months, but 90°F average highs never arrive; days and nights differ by 20.9°F on average — a big desert-style swing that rewards dressing in layers year-round; 7 months of the year average between 55°F and 80°F, the band most people find comfortable without heating or cooling. Those four facts, all straight from the normals table above, shape everything from a Roanoke wardrobe to its utility bills.
Roanoke climate FAQ
What is the warmest month in Roanoke?
July is the warmest month in Roanoke, with a mean temperature of 77.8°F, average highs of 88.1°F and average lows of 67.4°F (1991–2020 normals).
What is the coldest month in Roanoke?
January is the coldest month, averaging 37.9°F, with highs of 47.1°F and lows of 28.7°F.
How much rain does Roanoke get in a year?
Roanoke averages 42.82 in of precipitation a year. The wettest month is June (4.66 in) and the driest is February (2.89 in).
When is the best time of year to visit Roanoke?
By the normals, the most comfortable months are June, August, September — mild average temperatures with moderate rainfall. January is typically the least comfortable month.
How much snow does Roanoke get?
Roanoke averages 14.8 in of snow a year, with February the snowiest month at 4.8 in on average.
Source: 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) — ncei.noaa.gov. Station: Roanoke Regional Airport, VA (USW00013741), elevation 1,175 ft. Figures checked October 2026.