ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — Another windy day is anticipated across Southwest and Central Virginia. While winds will subside late in the week, rain is slated to return to the region.
Wind Advisories will be in effect for counties along and west of the Blue Ridge on Wednesday. Highland County will be under a High Wind Warning. West winds of 15 – 30 mph are expected with gusts as high as 50 – 65 mph possible. These winds could down tree limbs resulting in a few power outages. Make sure to secure any loose lightweight outdoor objects.
The warm westerly winds will result in above-average temperatures on Wednesday. Highs will be in the 50s and lower 60s under mostly sunny skies. Areas north of I-64 will reach the 40s by the afternoon.
The combination of gusty winds, low relative humidity, and available dry fuel (brush, grasses, etc.) will lead to an increased fire danger on Wednesday. Outdoor burning is discouraged.
Winds will subside on Thursday as high pressure passes overhead. Morning lows will be in the upper 20s and 30s. Afternoon temperatures will rise into the slightly cooler upper 40s and 50s. Clouds will gradually increase as a storm system approaches from the west.
Rain will move through Southwest and Central Virginia from Thursday night through Friday. This will mainly be a rain event since temperatures will likely be well above freezing. Highs will mainly be in the upper 40s and 50s. A wintry mix may develop along the western slopes of Pocahontas and Greenbrier counties late Friday night.
A few showers may linger into early Saturday morning. Otherwise, decreasing cloudiness is slated for the day. Winds will come in from the northwest, resulting in slightly cooler conditions for the weekend. For Saturday and Sunday, highs will be in the near-average 40s and lower 50s under a variable mix of sun and clouds.