Wakefield, VA – Winter officially arrives across Virginia and northeastern North Carolina today as the Winter Solstice marks the shortest day of the year, bringing a noticeable shift in weather conditions across the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Wakefield, a dry cold front is moving through the area today, ushering in breezy northwest winds, particularly across the Eastern Shore. Despite the front, afternoon temperatures will remain relatively mild, with highs in the 50s across much of Virginia and upper 50s to near 60 degrees in southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina.
In central Virginia, including the Richmond area, highs are expected to range from 54 to 58 degrees, while southeast Virginia and northeastern North Carolina may see highs between 57 and 60 degrees. Winds will pick up during the day, making conditions feel cooler, especially near the coast.
Colder air settles in quickly tonight. Overnight lows are forecast to fall into the low to mid-20s inland, with upper 20s to low 30s along the coast, marking a sharp change from recent mild nights.
The Winter Solstice also brings limited daylight. In Norfolk, sunrise occurred around 7:14 a.m. with sunset near 4:52 p.m. In Richmond, sunrise was around 7:21 a.m., with sunset near 4:55 p.m. While today is the darkest day of the year, daylight will begin increasing gradually starting Monday.
Residents across Hampton Roads, the Eastern Shore, central Virginia, and northeastern North Carolina are encouraged to prepare for colder overnight temperatures and remain weather-aware as winter officially begins.
