Thanksgiving weather in Virginia really keeps you guessing. Some years, you’ll get those crisp, wintry afternoons, but other times, it’s so mild you barely need a jacket.
Most years, expect daytime highs in the 50s to near 60 degrees. Nights often dip into the 30s, so you’ll want to bring an extra layer.
The conditions depend a lot on where you are in the state. Coastal spots like Virginia Beach usually stay a bit milder, while inland places such as Richmond or Arlington can swing between warmer and colder extremes.
This mix of climates makes planning outdoor gatherings or travel around the holiday a little more interesting.
History shows Thanksgiving in Virginia has seen anything from rare snowflakes to record warmth in the 70s. You’ll want to know what’s typical, what’s possible, and how often the weather throws a curveball.
Let’s look at the patterns, records, and trends that shape the holiday forecast across the state.
Typical Thanksgiving Weather in Virginia
Thanksgiving in Virginia usually brings cool but not harsh conditions. Temperatures often feel comfortable for outdoor gatherings, though you might get a cold snap or a mild spell, depending on the year and where you are.
Rain pops up more often than snow, but you can’t rule out wintry weather in some regions.
Average High and Low Temperatures
Late November in Virginia brings mild daytime highs and chilly nights. In central areas like Richmond, the average high sits near 55–58°F.
Lows often fall into the upper 30s.
Some years, highs barely make it to 40°F, though that’s pretty rare. Other years, a warm stretch can push highs into the 70s, especially in the southern and eastern parts of the state.
Nighttime temperatures swing more. In the mountains, you might wake up to lows in the 20s. Coastal areas usually stay closer to the 40s.
Layering your clothes is a smart move if you’ll be outside.
Usual Weather Patterns
You usually get dry and calm weather, but late November lines up with passing cold fronts. These systems can quickly drop the temperature and bring light rain.
Snow doesn’t show up often in most parts of Virginia during Thanksgiving. Higher elevations sometimes get flurries or a dusting, but coastal regions are more likely to see rain showers.
Cloud cover jumps around. Some years, you’ll have bright, sunny skies. Other years, it stays gray and damp.
Winds are mostly light to moderate, but a front can bring stronger gusts. This variability makes planning ahead a bit tricky.
Regional Variations Across the State
The western mountains are the coldest part of Virginia. Highs there often stay in the 40s, and overnight lows drop into the 20s.
Snowfall can happen, but it’s never a guarantee.
Central Virginia, including Richmond, usually sees the most “typical” Thanksgiving weather: highs in the 50s, lows in the 30s.
Rain is more likely than snow.
Near the coast, places like Norfolk and Virginia Beach get milder temperatures. Highs often reach the upper 50s to low 60s. Nights don’t get as cold, usually staying in the 40s.
Rain showers are common, but snow is almost unheard of.
Your holiday experience really depends on where in Virginia you spend Thanksgiving.
Historical Thanksgiving Weather Records
Thanksgiving weather in Virginia has swung from mild fall afternoons to bitterly cold mornings with snow. Records show wide temperature swings and the occasional odd event that sticks out in the state’s climate history.
Record Highs and Lows
Thanksgiving temperatures in Virginia have hit both summer-like warmth and winter-like chill. In Richmond, the warmest Thanksgiving reached 77°F in 1933.
The coldest dipped to 20°F in 1930.
Most years, highs land in the 50s to low 60s. But these extremes make you wonder what late November will bring next.
One year, you’ll need just a light jacket. The next, you’re bundling up in heavy winter gear.
Virginia’s climate is in transition during this season. Cold air from the north and lingering warmth from the south often meet here, leading to big temperature swings.
Notable Weather Events
Snow on Thanksgiving in Virginia is rare, but it has happened. Richmond has recorded measurable snow only three times since 1897.
- 1912: 2 inches of snow, the largest Thanksgiving total on record.
- 1938: 1.2 inches of snow.
- 1989: 1.1 inches of snow, paired with a high of just 35°F.
These events are unusual, but they remind you that snow isn’t impossible. Rain is more likely, and wet weather sometimes makes travel a hassle.
Frequency of Extreme Conditions
Extreme cold or heat rarely shows up on Thanksgiving in Virginia. Most years, highs fall between the upper 40s and upper 60s.
Snowfall has happened only three times in more than a century, so the chance of a white Thanksgiving is less than 3% in Richmond.
Unusually warm or cold days pop up, but they’re outliers. For planning, you can expect mild to cool weather most years, with the occasional surprise that breaks from the average pattern.
Rainfall and Precipitation Trends
Late November in Virginia often brings light to moderate rainfall. The amount and frequency really depend on where you are.
Coastal areas tend to be wetter. The western mountains usually see less rain but could pick up some early snow.
Average Rainfall in Late November
By late November, Virginia averages about 2 to 3 inches of precipitation for the month. Most of it falls as rain.
Thanksgiving week itself typically brings 0.25 to 0.75 inches of rainfall.
Rain usually arrives as light showers or steady drizzle, not heavy downpours. Thunderstorms almost never happen this time of year.
Snow is possible in the higher elevations of the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains. For most of the state, though, rain is the main player around Thanksgiving.
| Region | Typical Late Nov. Rainfall | Snow Potential |
|---|---|---|
| Tidewater | 0.5–1.0 inches/week | Rare |
| Piedmont | 0.25–0.75 inches/week | Low |
| Mountains | 0.25–0.5 inches/week | Moderate |
Chance of Precipitation
You’ve got a moderate shot at seeing rain on Thanksgiving in Virginia. On average, there’s about a 25% to 35% chance of measurable precipitation on the holiday.
That means roughly one in three Thanksgivings may be wet, while the rest are dry. When rain shows up, it’s usually light and doesn’t last long—maybe just a few hours.
Snowfall chances are much lower, generally under 10% outside of the mountains. In western counties above 2,000 feet, the odds climb a bit, but even there, snow isn’t the norm for late November.
Rainfall Variability by Region
Rainfall patterns in Virginia change a lot with geography. The coastal Tidewater region is wetter, thanks to the Atlantic Ocean, and averages close to 50 inches of precipitation yearly.
By late November, this means more frequent rain showers.
The Piedmont and central Virginia areas, including Richmond, get moderate rainfall. These spots usually record totals a bit lower than the coast but still see steady November showers.
The mountain regions out west are drier overall, averaging less than 40 inches of precipitation a year. In late November, you’ll see fewer rainy days but a higher chance of early-season snow at higher elevations.
Snowfall Possibilities on Thanksgiving
Snow can happen in Virginia on Thanksgiving, but it’s rare. When it does show up, it’s usually light and doesn’t stick around, with only a few years recording measurable snowfall.
Historical Snowfall Occurrences
Thanksgiving snowfall in Virginia has been rare, especially in Richmond, where records go back to the late 1800s.
Since then, measurable snow has only shown up a handful of times.
For example, 1912 brought the heaviest Thanksgiving snow in Richmond with about 2 inches. In 1938, about 1.2 inches fell.
The most recent case was in 1989, when 1.1 inches of snow arrived early in the morning. That day stayed cold, with highs only in the mid-30s.
These events stand out because most Thanksgivings in Virginia are dry and seasonable. The rarity of snow makes each occurrence a bit more memorable for locals.
Average November Snowfall
November is usually too early for frequent snow across most of Virginia. In central areas, the monthly average snowfall is often less than 1 inch.
Many years pass without any measurable snow before December.
Higher elevations in western Virginia, like the Blue Ridge Mountains, tell a different story. There, November snowfall averages are higher, often ranging from 2 to 5 inches, depending on elevation.
Cold air arrives sooner in these areas, and the mountains help squeeze out more early-season snow.
Coastal and eastern Virginia almost never see snow in November. Warmer Atlantic air keeps temperatures above freezing, so rain wins out over snow during this month.
Likelihood of a White Thanksgiving
For Virginia, the odds of a “white Thanksgiving” are very low. The National Weather Service calls this at least 1 inch of snow on the ground or 0.1 inches falling on the holiday.
In Richmond, the chance sits well under 5%, based on more than a century of records.
In the mountains, the odds tick a bit higher but still aren’t common. Even there, Thanksgiving usually comes before the real snow season kicks in.
If you’re traveling, you’re far more likely to get chilly rain or dry, cool weather than snow. Still, those rare exceptions prove snow is possible, even if it’s not the usual story.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine
Late November in Virginia brings a pretty mixed bag of cloudy and clear skies. You’ll notice shorter days with less sunlight than summer, and cloud cover changes depending on your location.
These conditions affect how much direct sunshine you get during Thanksgiving.
Typical Cloudiness
Cloud cover in Virginia during late November is moderate. In northern spots like Fairfax, skies are overcast or mostly cloudy about 50% of the time.
Central areas such as Richmond usually see a balance of partly cloudy and mostly clear days, though gray skies aren’t rare.
The cloudiest conditions usually show up in the western mountains, where weather systems can hang around. Coastal regions, like Norfolk or Virginia Beach, get slightly clearer skies thanks to the ocean, though low clouds and mist can still roll in.
This is the cloudier season for much of the state, running from mid-November into early summer. So, expect a fair chance of clouds on Thanksgiving but not a guarantee of gray skies.
Average Hours of Sunshine
Daylight is limited in late November, with only about 10 hours of daylight across Virginia. Actual sunshine is less, since cloud cover cuts down on sun reaching the ground.
On average, you might get 4 to 5 hours of direct sun on a typical Thanksgiving Day.
The eastern part of the state, including Norfolk and Virginia Beach, often sees a bit more sunshine than the interior. In contrast, the Blue Ridge and Appalachian areas usually get fewer sunny hours because of thicker cloud cover.
The sun sits low in the sky this time of year. Even when it’s clear, the sunlight feels weaker compared to summer.
This lower intensity can make afternoons feel cooler, even if the temperature looks mild on paper.
Daylight Hours and Sunset Timing
Late November in Virginia brings shorter days and earlier evenings. You’ll notice daylight dropping off as the season shifts toward winter, which definitely affects travel and outdoor plans.
Average Daylight Duration
Around Thanksgiving, Virginia gets about 9.8 to 10 hours of daylight. Sunrise usually happens after 7:00 a.m., and sunset comes before 5:00 p.m.
So, your daylight window feels pretty limited compared to summer or even early fall. If you’re used to longer days, it’s a bit of a shock.
You’ll notice the drop in sunlight most if you compare it to October. Back then, daylight stuck around for almost 11 hours.
By late November, you lose more than an hour of usable light. That’s a bigger change than you might expect.
Shorter daylight hours can mess with your driving plans, sightseeing, or any outdoor activities. If you want to hike, check out historic sites, or shop at outdoor markets, you’ll want to get started earlier to catch the best of the natural light.
Sunset Times Across Virginia
Sunset times shift a bit depending on where you find yourself in the state. In Richmond, you’ll usually see the sun dip below the horizon at about 4:55 p.m. near Thanksgiving.
If you head over to Virginia Beach along the coast, sunset happens a few minutes earlier, right around 4:52 p.m. Out in the western mountains near Roanoke, the sun hangs on a little longer and sets close to 5:05 p.m.
These small changes can make a difference, especially if you’re traveling between regions. A late afternoon drive in the mountains? It might feel darker sooner because of the hills, even though the official sunset comes a bit later.
Here’s a quick look at some sunset times for late November:
| Location | Sunset (late Nov) |
|---|---|
| Richmond | ~4:55 p.m. |
| Virginia Beach | ~4:52 p.m. |
| Roanoke | ~5:05 p.m. |
If you like to get outside or need to drive before it gets dark, you’ll probably want to keep these times in mind.