The climate of the area is best described as temperate. The winters are mild. Typically the temperature does not fall below minus seven degrees Celsius. Usually there are one or two snowfalls not exceeding three inches of accumulation. The spring is the most beautiful time of year in the city.
Pear trees line most streets in town.
In early April they bloom, further enhancing the beauty of the well-kept lawns of the residents and the College's campus. During the summer months, temperatures often rise above 32 degrees Celsius. Autumn, much like the spring, is mild and the changing colors of the leaves draw visitors to Fredericksburg. The academic year at Mary Washington College, like most colleges and universities in the United States, consists of two semesters. Each semester is approximately 15 weeks long.