Colonial Williamsburg is a restored 18th-century city that preserves the rituals of daily life in Colonial times. Annual festivals are held in more than 30 localities throughout the state. The most celebrated of Virginia's spring events is Historic Garden Week, the oldest and largest house and garden tour in the country, with more than 30 areas and eight plantations in the state sponsoring tours. Climate Virginia's modified continental climate is influenced by the mountains to the west and the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean to the east. The mountains steer, block, and modify the effects of storms and air masses, and the large open bodies of water modify temperature extremes.
Winters are moderately cold in mountain and valley areas and mild in central and eastern Virginia.
Summers are relatively cool in mountain areas and warm and humid in central and eastern areas of the Commonwealth. Precipitation is well-distributed throughout the year with maximum amounts in late summer and minimum amounts in late fall. Average precipitation amounts range from 38 inches in the western mountains and valleys to 44 inches in southeastern coastal areas. Average annual snowfall amounts range from 27 inches in western Virginia to 9 inches along the coast. The prevailing winds in eastern and central Virginia are from the south and southwest with more northerly winds in the colder months.