New Virginia has cold winters and warm summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 86°, a January night drops to 13°, and about 28 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in New Virginia at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about New Virginia’s climate
Read from where New Virginia sits among Iowa’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
About 162 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 29 and the first by October 9.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in New Virginia averaged 0.4° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+2.1°).
A smaller shift than in 98% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
What a year in New Virginia feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
28 inches of snow, 37 of rain and melt
May is the wettest month and January the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 98 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
Living with New Virginia’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
162 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 29 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 9.
About 28" a winter over 9 days with an inch or more, most in January. Snow covers the ground about 46 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 87% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 25 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 86°.
The nicest months are May, June, August, September and October. 0.0 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →How New Virginia compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Iowa.
New Virginia weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31° | 13° | 0.9" | 8.2" | 5 | 16 | 15° – 35° |
| February | 36° | 17° | 1.3" | 7.2" | 6 | 14 | 17° – 38° |
| March | 49° | 28° | 2.1" | 3.1" | 8 | 4 | 31° – 53° |
| April | 62° | 39° | 3.9" | 1.1" | 10 | 0 | 42° – 57° |
| May | 72° | 50° | 5.3" | 0.2" | 13 | 0 | 56° – 69° |
| June | 82° | 61° | 5.1" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 67° – 75° |
| July | 86° | 65° | 4.2" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 70° – 82° |
| August | 84° | 62° | 4.2" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 67° – 78° |
| September | 77° | 53° | 3.7" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 59° – 71° |
| October | 64° | 41° | 2.7" | 0.5" | 8 | 0 | 46° – 58° |
| November | 49° | 29° | 1.9" | 2.1" | 6 | 2 | 30° – 50° |
| December | 36° | 19° | 1.4" | 5.7" | 6 | 9 | 12° – 35° |
| Year | 61° | 40° | 36.8" | 28.1" | 98 | 46 |
Heating and cooling a home in New Virginia
87% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. December swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 12° to 35°. June is the most reliable, staying within 8°.
Common questions about New Virginia’s climate
What is the coldest month in New Virginia?
January, with a typical high of 31° and a low of 13°.
What is the hottest month in New Virginia?
July, with a typical high of 86° and a low of 65°. About 25 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does New Virginia get?
About 28 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in New Virginia?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 9, and the last spring frost by April 29.
What is the rainiest month in New Virginia?
May, with 5.3 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 37 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in New Virginia.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for New Virginia itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Osceola, IA (11 mi) away. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.