The best times to visit Sterling for ideal weather are
April 23rd to June 17th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Sterling Travel Guide
Other Sterling Travel Info
Weather in Sterling
Temperature
Average temperatures in Sterling vary drastically. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold for about half of the year and otherwise nice with a chance of rain or snow throughout most of the year. The area is less temperate than some — in the 21st percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Sterling, the hottest months are July, August, and then June. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally mid July where highs are regularly around 90.8°F (32.7°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 66.9°F (19.4°C) at night.
Sterling Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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Sterling Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
Sterling Perceived Temperature (F)
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Sterling Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average Sterling Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
| Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44.8 | 33.4 | 23.5 |
| Feb | 46.3 | 34.4 | 23.7 |
| Mar | 58.6 | 44.9 | 32.8 |
| Apr | 70.2 | 55.8 | 42.3 |
| May | 79 | 65.9 | 52.7 |
| Jun | 86.4 | 73.9 | 61.8 |
| Jul | 89.8 | 77.5 | 65.6 |
| Aug | 87.9 | 75.6 | 64.1 |
| Sep | 82.4 | 69.3 | 57.4 |
| Oct | 70.6 | 57.5 | 45.8 |
| Nov | 58.8 | 46.1 | 34.9 |
| Dec | 50 | 39.3 | 29.7 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7.1 | 0.8 | -4.7 |
| Feb | 7.9 | 1.3 | -4.6 |
| Mar | 14.8 | 7.2 | 0.4 |
| Apr | 21.2 | 13.2 | 5.7 |
| May | 26.1 | 18.8 | 11.5 |
| Jun | 30.2 | 23.3 | 16.6 |
| Jul | 32.1 | 25.3 | 18.7 |
| Aug | 31.1 | 24.2 | 17.8 |
| Sep | 28 | 20.7 | 14.1 |
| Oct | 21.4 | 14.2 | 7.7 |
| Nov | 14.9 | 7.8 | 1.6 |
| Dec | 10 | 4.1 | -1.3 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Sterling are February, September, and then January. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around mid July. For example, on the week of July 16th there is 1 day of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in mid November with an average of 2 days of significant precipitation the week of November 12th.
When can you find snow in Sterling? Weather stations report large amounts of snow likely to be deepest around February, especially close to early February. The best time to ski (if at all) in Sterling is often around around December 17th when fresh powder is deepest. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Sterling.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Sterling (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17% | 2.1 | 2.4 |
| Feb | 16% | 5.3 | 2.1 |
| Mar | 23% | 2.7 | 3.7 |
| Apr | 21% | 0 | 3.6 |
| May | 23% | 0 | 5.6 |
| Jun | 23% | 0 | 4 |
| Jul | 19% | 0 | 3.3 |
| Aug | 20% | 0 | 3 |
| Sep | 17% | 0 | 3.5 |
| Oct | 19% | 0 | 5.2 |
| Nov | 20% | 1.2 | 2.3 |
| Dec | 25% | 4.1 | 4.1 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17 | 5.3 | 6.1 |
| Feb | 16 | 13.5 | 5.3 |
| Mar | 23 | 6.9 | 9.4 |
| Apr | 21 | 0 | 9.1 |
| May | 23 | 0 | 14.2 |
| Jun | 23 | 0 | 10.2 |
| Jul | 19 | 0 | 8.4 |
| Aug | 20 | 0 | 7.6 |
| Sep | 17 | 0 | 8.9 |
| Oct | 19 | 0 | 13.2 |
| Nov | 20 | 3 | 5.8 |
| Dec | 25 | 10.4 | 10.4 |
Humidity and Wind
Sterling has some comfortably humid months, with slightly drier months on the other side of the year. The least humid month is March (46.5% relative humidity), and the most humid month is October (59.9%).
Wind in Sterling is usually calm. The windiest month is February, followed by March and April. February’s average wind speed of around 7.4 knots (8.5 MPH or 13.7 KPH) is considered “a gentle breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early to mid February where average top sustained speeds reach 18 knots, which is considered a fresh breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Sterling.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
| Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
| Jan | 6.6 | Light breeze | 14.1 | Significant breeze |
| Feb | 7.4 | Gentle breeze | 16 | Significant breeze |
| Mar | 7.2 | Gentle breeze | 14.5 | Significant breeze |
| Apr | 6.8 | Light breeze | 14.4 | Significant breeze |
| May | 5.7 | Light breeze | 12.6 | Significant breeze |
| Jun | 5.1 | Light breeze | 12.7 | Significant breeze |
| Jul | 4.8 | Light breeze | 11.8 | Significant breeze |
| Aug | 4.6 | Light breeze | 10.9 | Gentle breeze |
| Sep | 4.8 | Light breeze | 10.8 | Significant breeze |
| Oct | 5.6 | Light breeze | 11.8 | Significant breeze |
| Nov | 5.9 | Light breeze | 12.6 | Significant breeze |
| Dec | 6.2 | Light breeze | 13.2 | Significant breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 49.8% |
| Feb | 46.8% |
| Mar | 46.5% |
| Apr | 47.2% |
| May | 56.6% |
| Jun | 58.4% |
| Jul | 56.6% |
| Aug | 58.5% |
| Sep | 59.7% |
| Oct | 59.9% |
| Nov | 54.1% |
| Dec | 58.9% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Sterling?
Our best data indicates this area is generally safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are no travel advisories or warnings for the United States; exercise normal security precautions. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Dec 04, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in Sterling, VA, US is July, followed by June and August. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Sterling in October. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall Sterling Travel Experience by Season
Spring (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderate. Highs range from 85.7°F (29.8°C) and 49.5°F (9.7°C) with far warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is somewhat common with 6 to 7 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.
Summer (June through August)
The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are quite warm. These months see moderate precipitation with 6 to 7 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in Sterling, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.
Fall (September through November)
Fall daily highs range from 87.3°F (30.7°C) and 53.9°F (12.2°C), which will feel comfortable given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a significant amount: 5 to 6 days per month. Tourism is the slowest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be affordably priced.
Winter (December through February)
Weather is too cold this time of year in Sterling to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 51.3°F (10.7°C) and 41.4°F (5.2°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 5 to 8 times per month. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› the United States › Sterling, VA, US