Pool season · State index
Virginia Pool Season 2026: Opening & Closing Dates by City
Last updated: July 25, 2026 · 16 cities covered
Both halves of the pool year for all 16 covered Virginia cities. The median calendar runs April 10 to October 25. Every row links to a one-page season overview with the live water-temperature model; the opening and closing hubs carry the full checklists.
Virginia: a moderate-season pool state| City | Open by | Close by | 80°F+ days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | Apr 10 | Oct 25 | 112 |
| Arlington | Apr 10 | Oct 25 | 112 |
| Charlottesville | Apr 14 | Oct 19 | 100 |
| Chesapeake | Mar 31 | Nov 5 | 148 |
| Fredericksburg | Apr 18 | Oct 18 | 108 |
| Hampton | Apr 11 | Oct 26 | 102 |
| Lynchburg | Apr 25 | Oct 13 | 94 |
| Newport News | Apr 10 | Oct 26 | 114 |
| Norfolk | Apr 7 | Oct 28 | 105 |
| Portsmouth | Apr 7 | Oct 28 | 105 |
| Richmond | Apr 10 | Oct 22 | 116 |
| Roanoke | Apr 12 | Oct 20 | 110 |
| Suffolk | Apr 10 | Oct 26 | 104 |
| Virginia Beach | Mar 31 | Nov 5 | 148 |
| Williamsburg | Apr 9 | Oct 26 | 111 |
| Winchester | Apr 26 | Oct 10 | 92 |
What the columns mean
"Open by" is the recommended spring date — two weeks before the city's 7-day mean temperature crosses 61°F, the model's proxy for water approaching the 65°F algae-growth zone. "Close by" is the fall deadline — ten days after the water leaves that zone, capped a week ahead of the local 50% first-freeze date. "80°F+ days" counts days whose normal high reaches 80°F: the length of the true warm-swim season, and the fairest single number for comparing Virginia cities against each other.
Every figure comes from each city's own NOAA 1991–2020 normals station (named in its guide's footer), so neighboring cities can legitimately differ by a few days. The season overview linked from each row adds the live water-temperature model and the full-year season bar; the state hubs above carry the step-by-step checklists.
Swim-season length across Virginia
The fairest way to compare Virginia cities is the number of days with 80°F+ normal highs — the practical warm-swim season. Every bar links to that city's one-page season overview with the live water model.
Virginia pool climate at a glance
Humid Tidewater and Richmond summers support generous Memorial Day to Labor Day seasons that often stretch into September, while the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah highlands run cooler and shorter. In model terms that makes Virginia a moderate-season state. The spread shows up clearly on the local pages: compare Chesapeake's pool season with Fredericksburg's and the difference is measured in weeks, not days. Neighbors in the index run on their own normals too — see Vermont and Washington for the adjacent calendars.
Virginia pool season FAQ
When do pools open in Virginia?
Model openings in Virginia run from March 31 in Chesapeake to April 26 in Winchester, with the statewide median on April 10. Each date is two weeks before that city's 7-day mean temperature crosses 61°F — early enough to start up in algae-cold water.
When should you close a pool in Virginia?
The median Virginia closing deadline is October 26, and every city's own deadline is capped a week ahead of its NOAA 50% first-freeze date. Closing late and cold beats closing early and warm — cool water holds its winter chemistry far better.
Which Virginia city has the longest swim season?
Chesapeake leads with 148 days of 80°F+ highs per year, while Winchester brings up the rear at 92 days. The chart above ranks every covered city by the same metric.