ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — While frigid temperatures will impact Southwest and Central Virginia Thursday morning, it won’t be as cold for the remainder of the week. Snow showers are possible toward our western mountains during the day.
Thursday will start with morning temperatures in the lower 20s and teens. A few locations north of I-64 may start the day in the single digits. However, temperatures will rise into the slightly milder 30s and 40s by the afternoon under variably cloudy skies. Wind gusts of 20 – 30 mph may occur. Much of the region will stay mostly dry, but mountain snow showers are possible in the New River Valley and Alleghany Highlands.
A Winter Storm Warning is in place for western Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties; western Highland County is under a Winter Weather Advisory. These winter alerts will expire Friday morning. Two to six inches of snow is expected with locally higher amounts up to eight inches possible at higher elevations. Little to no snow accumulation is anticipated elsewhere.
Expect near-average temperatures and mostly dry weather on Friday. The day will start with morning temperatures in the 20s. Afternoon highs will be in the 40s. Mostly to partly sunny skies will be overhead.
A weekend storm system will bring scattered precipitation to Southwest and Central Virginia. However, the timing of the system will impact the precipitation type. If the storm arrives early Saturday morning, there’s the chance of sleet and freezing rain west of the Blue Ridge. If the system arrives later in the day, there’s a greater chance for mainly rain showers.
A cold front will move through the region late Saturday into Sunday, allowing colder and drier air to filter into the area for the end of the weekend. Spotty rain and snow showers are possible on Sunday.
Frigid arctic air will take over Southwest and Central Virginia for the week ahead. Starting Monday, highs will be in the lower 20s and teens while morning lows will range from the teens into the single digits.