ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)—A pattern shift is slated for the start of the new year. While Southwest and Central Virginia had a warmer-than-average start to the week, noticeably colder and windy conditions are expected for the beginning of January.
On Tuesday, a storm system will approach from the west. Skies will become cloudier and winds will increase throughout the day. Scattered rain showers are possible with a greater chance of rain anticipated west of the Blue Ridge. Afternoon highs will be in the 50s.
A Wind Advisory will be in effect for counties along and west of the Blue Ridge Tuesday night through Wednesday morning. Wind gusts as high as 50 mph are possible, resulting in isolated power outages and downed tree limbs.
Much of the shower activity will taper off Tuesday evening, before the start of 2025. If you’re celebrating outside, be aware that temperatures will be in the upper 30s and 40s around midnight with gusty winds blowing through. Some rain and snow showers will linger in areas west of the Blue Ridge Tuesday night through Wednesday.
From Wednesday through early Thursday morning, a Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect for western Greenbrier County and a Winter Storm Warning will be in effect for northwestern Pocahontas County. Two to four inches of snowfall is possible in the advisory area while four to ten inches of snow may accumulate in the warning area. Little to no accumulation is expected elsewhere in Southwest and Central Virginia.
It will be a chilly and windy start to 2025. Skies will partially clear on New Year’s Day and wind gusts of 20 – 40 mph are possible. Morning temperatures will start in the 30s. Highs will range from the upper 30s into the lower 50s.
Mountain snow showers will taper off by Thursday with more sunshine on the way. Morning temperatures will start in the sub-freezing 20s and lower 30s before rising into the crisp 30s and lower 40s by the afternoon. It will still be breezy, so wear layers to keep yourself warm.
Prepare for colder conditions to end the week. Another round of mountain snow showers is possible on Friday. Winds will become gusty with afternoon highs in the 30s and 40s. Saturday will be frigid. Morning temperatures will start in the teens and lower 20s while afternoon temperatures will rise into the 20s and lower 30s.
A low-pressure system will work its way toward the Mid-Atlantic late Sunday into Monday. Cold air will still be in place, but there are uncertainties concerning the timing and track of this system. The track of this system will determine how much snow/ice Southwest and Central Virginia could see. For now, rain and snow showers are possible overnight Sunday into Monday.