Best Time to See Black Widows in Virginia
May, June and September is the best time to see black widows in Virginia. Based on 1,787 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when black widows are most active across the year in Virginia.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 21, 2026.
Northern Black Widow · Joseph McPhail CC BY
Western Black Widow · Rebecca Ray CC BY
Western Black Widow · Michael Eisen CC BY
1,787 verified observations of black widows in Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When black widows are recorded in Virginia
Peak month
May
281 records (15.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 20 | 1.1% |
| February | 15 | 0.8% |
| March | 66 | 3.7% |
| April | 148 | 8.3% |
| Maypeak | 281 | 15.7% |
| Junepeak | 254 | 14.2% |
| July | 212 | 11.9% |
| August | 202 | 11.3% |
| Septemberpeak | 239 | 13.4% |
| October | 215 | 12% |
| November | 102 | 5.7% |
| December | 33 | 1.8% |
Black Widows you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Southern Black Widow | 881 |
| Northern Black Widow | 648 |
| Brown Widow | 36 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Virginia
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when black widows are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for black widows sit around 56 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47°F | 30°F | 3.2" |
| Feb | 52°F | 33°F | 4" |
| Mar | 60°F | 39°F | 3" |
| Apr | 70°F | 46°F | 3.9" |
| Maybest time | 77°F | 56°F | 3.5" |
| Junbest time | 86°F | 64°F | 3.1" |
| Jul | 92°F | 70°F | 3.2" |
| Aug | 88°F | 68°F | 3.8" |
| Sepbest time | 82°F | 62°F | 2.9" |
| Oct | 71°F | 52°F | 3.6" |
| Nov | 59°F | 39°F | 3.1" |
| Dec | 52°F | 34°F | 4" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Virginia. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of black widows in Virginia peak in May, when 281 of the year's 1,787 verified observations are logged — about 15.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and September.
The quietest stretch is February and January, when black widows are hardest to find — February sees just 15 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The black widows you are most likely to encounter in Virginia are Southern Black Widow, Northern Black Widow and Brown Widow — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see black widows in Virginia
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Appomattox Court House National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Assateague Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Blue Ridge Parkway — Parkway
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see black widows in Virginia?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and September, based on 1,787 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are black widows hardest to see in Virginia?+
February is the quietest month for black widows in Virginia, with only 15 verified records.
Are black widows active year-round in Virginia?+
Black widows are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Virginia, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in Virginia