Don’t burn! Unseasonably warm, dry weather leads to higher fire risk Thursday
The dryness, unseasonable warmth and a breeze will keep the fire risk high Thursday. In addition to that, there is a statewide burn ban in place from Midnight to 4 p.m. each day until the end of April. Fire Weather Watch for Thursday, 3/11/2021Outside of that, Thursday will be another beautiful day to spend outside. High temperature forecast for 3/11/2021Enjoy that, because wet weather will return for some of us Friday. Stay tuned for updates, as the pattern turns wet at times throughout next week.
Temperatures “spring forward” throughout much of the week
Flipping the switch from winter to spring this weekROANOKE, Va. – We turn the clocks ahead one hour this coming weekend. Prior to that, however, temperatures will begin springing forward. It may not feel like that first thing Monday morning, with many of us waking up to temperatures in the 20s. High temperature forecast for Monday, 3/8/2021This is just the beginning of a week-long warm-up! AdRecent dry spells in southwest, central VirginiaThat streak likely comes to an end later in the week, once the jet stream buckles.
Limited winter weather late Friday before 60s, 70s return Sunday
Clouds stay put throughout the day, keeping temperatures steady. Winter weather alerts for Friday, 2/26/2021For most of us, we’ll see rain increasing through the afternoon and evening before becoming more hit-or-miss at night. Don’t cancel weekend plans, but have a Plan B.FutureTracker - Saturday morningA warm front will lift north, keeping things mainly scattered in the afternoon. AdWhat we're tracking by Sunday, 2/28/2021As it stands now (Friday, 2/26/2021), Saturday’s afternoon temperatures will be in the 50s and 60s. Sunday’s afternoon temperatures, however, could jump into the 60s and 70s!
Wednesday likely to be our warmest day since before Christmas
The wind won’t be as much of a factor, but it will be enough to push temperatures up a few degrees. High temperature forecast for Wednesday, 2/24/2021This will likely be a) the warmest weather we’ve seen since mid-December, b) a taste of mid-April and c) more typical of late February in New Orleans! Well, not really, but Roanoke's forecast high of 67 matches the average high for this time of year in New Orleans. Types of precipitation possible Friday eveningThis likely won’t be a big deal, but it will kick off a wet pattern this weekend. AdWhat we're tracking starting this weekendEarly estimates show 1-3″ of rain being likely across the area, which could lead to flooding.
No record warmth like last year, but a warming trend coming this week
Highs reach the 40s in most of the New River Valley and Highlands. We’ll start each morning around freezing, but highs each afternoon reach well into the 50s (some near 60° by Thursday afternoon). We’ve got a strong cold front coming in that will send our temperatures back down for the weekend. What we're tracking by Saturday, 1/16/2021Each morning starts in the 20s, with each afternoon’s temperatures in the 30s and 40s. It’ll be quite windy behind the front too Saturday with mostly mountain snow showers blowing through.
Weather Whiplash: Light snow Monday morning to 60s Thursday afternoon
ROANOKE, Va. – The official start to winter is just two weeks away, but we’re getting a little taste of it Monday morning. This could lead to some slick spots, even outside of the mountains, during the Monday morning commute. Things improve by the afternoon, but may refreeze/get slick again overnight as temperatures drop to 25-30°. Monday's wind speed and wind gust forecastThis, combined with the incoming cold, will make it feel pretty uncomfortable Tuesday morning. Wind chills will drop into the teens and 20s for many of us, with afternoon highs in the 40s.
Weather whiplash: Near-70° warmth follows freezing mornings
ROANOKE, Va. – The coldest air of the season has moved into parts of the area as of Wednesday morning. Still, we expect high temperatures to only reach 45-50° area-wide Wednesday afternoon with plenty of sun around. High temperature forecast for Wednesday, 11/18/2020A clear sky, calm wind and bone-dry air will allow temperatures overnight to plummet once again. Low temperature forecast for Thursday morning, 11/19/2020As the jet stream continues to retreat northward, however, we’ll warm back up as soon as we cooled down. By Friday and Saturday afternoons, high temperatures will reach 65-70°.
Early October warmth expected before sogginess returns next week
ROANOKE, Va. – We started the week with wind chills in the 10s and 20s. In fact, high temperatures will be about 10° above average for the next week or so. Weekend forecast for 11/6 to 11/8/2020Nighttime lows will gradually come up a few degrees as well, as dew points (moisture levels) begin to climb too. Dew points (moisture levels) through Monday, 11/9/2020By next week, we’re talking low temperatures in the 55-61° range, which is about 20° above average for mid-November. Moisture from Eta will team up with a front to give us rain at least Wednesday and Thursday.
60s, 70s prevail as Eta avoids our area...for now
In fact, Wednesday afternoon’s temperatures will be well into the 60s under a sun-kissed sky. Eta made landfall over Nicaragua Tuesday as a Category 4 storm and has since weakened over land. High pressure, which keeps us warm and calm, will suppress Eta to the south. What's guiding Eta through Monday, 11/9/2020The farther west that happens, the wetter we’ll be (probably later next week). Stay tuned for updates, but know that we don’t expect any impacts from the storm for at least the next 5-7 days.
Late summer-like warmth continues...until Sunday
From frost this past weekend to near-record warmth Wednesday, we’re all kinds of confused. Our stretch of unseasonable warmth, however, continues through at least Friday. In fact, Thursday’s warmth will fall short of the day’s records by a few degrees. Forecast temperatures compared to records for Thursday, 10/22/2020At night, we should have enough clear sky to work with. Triangle in space Thursday nightWe’ll keep the warmth around Friday and through most of Saturday too.
Wednesday’s warmth falls short of a record by a few degrees
ROANOKE, Va. – Temperatures all across the board Tuesday managed to get into the mid to upper 70s, making it feel like mid-September. Hourly planner for Wednesday, 10/21/2020For most of the area, that’s about 5° shy of record levels for the day. A few showers and pockets of drizzle will be around too as high temperatures take a dip. What the wedge means for our weather Sunday, 10/25/2020As that erodes, warmer air will likely return early next week. Our next front likely gets delayed a bit, slowing any inevitable cool-down until Halloween or just shortly thereafter.
Fall back! Mid-September warmth takes over the rest of the week
High temperature forecast for Tuesday, 10/20/2020Thus begins our trend of mid-September warmth that should last through at least Thursday. Meanwhile, winter has taken its place over parts of the northern U.S. Just Monday, parts of Iowa received several inches of snow. Autumn snow across the Northern Plains this weekWe’ll avoid that like the plague, by staying on the warm side of any frontal systems through Friday. FutureTracker - wide view by Thursday, 10/22/2020The pattern slowly begins to collapse, allowing fronts to inch closer to the region. FutureTracker - wide view by Saturday, 10/24/2020This front lingers, providing us with the chance for additional showers Sunday and Monday.
Wednesday offers a dose of late summer days prior to Delta’s remnant rain
ROANOKE, Va. – Tuesday’s warmth may have only been an appetizer to Wednesday’s full course of warm, late summer-like air. Forecast high temperatures for Wednesday, 10/7/2020This isn’t record-breaking, but it is about 10° above average by early October’s standards. We’ll stay warm Thursday with temperatures coming down a bit Friday, as clouds from Delta begin to drift northward. Just this year alone, we’ve seen rain from five different tropical systems. Rain from tropical systems in our area this year
Another nice day on tap before a few showers move into the western mountains tonight
We expect a nice recovery with the temperatures through the midday and afternoon as our highs peak in the mid to upper 60s. Sunday planner (WSLS)A front will approach the area from the west and drive extra clouds into the area for tonight. A few showers could be sparked in the western mountains, with drier conditions expected in Roanoke and east of the Blue Ridge. Upper level pattern Tuesday 4 p.m. (WSLS)A front could cause a slight dip in the jet and give us a brief cool down for Thursday and Friday. Upper level pattern Thursday 4 p.m. (WSLS)The warm air really takes over next weekend and beyond.
Trending warmer before a pair of fronts causes temperatures to dive later this week
ROANOKE, Va. – Residual moisture from Friday’s rain has caused fog to develop, just like we saw on Saturday morning. If you’re getting out on the roads early this morning, be mindful of the possibility of reduced visibility. Driving in fog tips (WSLS)After the fog lifts, we expect partly to mostly cloudy skies throughout your Sunday. The Highlands will be our warmest region today, while the New River Valley will be our coolest. Today's forecast (WSLS)We’re watching a pair of fronts as we head into the new work week.
A chance to dry out as we warm up this weekend
Roanoke and Blacksburg set new daily rainfall records yesterday with 1.67″ and 1.31″ of rain respectively. As high pressure tries to build in from the southwest, clouds will partially erode through the midday and afternoon. VT Football Forecast (WSLS)Sunday looks like a decent day with temperatures warming to near 80 degrees by the afternoon. Right now, we’re forecasting Tuesday as the wettest day of the week, but some showers and/or storms can’t be ruled out Monday or Wednesday. Behind the front, we expect cooler and drier air to filter into the region for the late stages of the week.
Two fronts bring us warmer temperatures, chance for late day storms
ROANOKE, Va. – We started the weekend off on a gloomy note as many dealt with numerous clouds, spotty rain and cooler temperatures. We’ll end it warmer with a little more sunshine mixed in and also a few thunderstorms late in the day. Zone temperature forecast (WSLS)Our second front of the day will approach during the evening, sparking storms from west to east. You’ll really feel a difference in the air by Tuesday, as cooler and drier air fully filters in from the north. Three day humidity tracker (WSLS)The cooler and drier air will be accompanied by sunshine Tuesday and Wednesday.
Low drama weather continues as high pressure keeps its grip on our area
A large area of high pressure is what we should thank for the wonderful weather. High vs. Low pressure (WSLS)After a cool start to the day, look for temperatures to warm to the low to mid 80s by afternoon. Well continue to see abundant sunshine and low humidity for this middle day of Labor Day weekend. Future Tracker Sunday 4 p.m. (WSLS)The weather looks pleasant for the Labor Day holiday as well. Three day humidity tracker (WSLS)While our local weather is quiet, the tropical Atlantic is quite active.
Sunshine, warmth and low humidity throughout the holiday weekend
High pressure will settle in as our dominant weather maker and the sinking air will inhibit all rain chances and most cloud cover. Saturday planner (WSLS)If you like the cooler air this morning, youll be in luck tomorrow morning! Otherwise, well just call it free air conditioning as you can leave your windows open tonight and enjoy the cooler air. Sunday morning lows (WSLS)Labor Day will also feature morning lows in the 50s. Heres your Saturday morning weather headlines.
Free A/C Tuesday morning followed by typical afternoon temperatures
ROANOKE, Va. A drop in moisture levels has led to a really comfortable morning Tuesday, as temperatures are starting in the 50s and 60s area-wide. We dont expect any major changes in moisture levels, as dew points will stay put the rest of the day Tuesday. Hour by hour humidity levels for Tuesday 8/18/2020Regardless, well still get quite warm during the afternoon. A west wind will help pick temperatures up into the 80s for most of the area, similar to Monday. High temperature forecast for 8/18/2020Well be tracking a weak front from the west later in the day.
A chance to dry out after a very soggy start to the weekend
Yesterdays rainfall totals peaked at about two inches, mainly in the New River Valley. August has been wetter across our other forecast regions and Saturdays rain added to the surplus that Southside, the New River Valley and Lynchburg have experienced. Since our front is moving away from the area, it appears rain chances will be much lower to wrap up the weekend. Were forecasting a 30 percent chance of showers and/or storms for your Sunday. How chance of rain works (WSLS)We dont see storm chances increase again until the middle of the upcoming work week.
Starting summer with warmer temperatures; scattered storm chances continue
The summer solstice officially comes at 5:43 p.m. and it will be the longest day of the year. Well, we expect temperatures to return to the 80s for quite a few locations, which hasn’t happened in about a week! We’ll have a mix of sun and clouds overhead and scattered storms will once again develop starting in the afternoon. We crank up the heat and humidity on Father’s Day as temperatures peak in the mid 80s for some. Father's Day Forecast (WSLS)We keep the heat around with daily shots at scattered storms into the new work week.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds make their return to our region, thanks to our recent warm weather
ROANOKE, Va. – Many of us have been loving the warm weather lately and we’re not the only ones. According to Hummingbird Central, a ruby-throated hummingbird was spotted in Roanoke over the weekend. Hummingbird observations (3/30/2020) (WSLS)Many hummingbirds spend the winter months in Central America or Mexico, then migrate north when the weather gets warmer. Major hummingbird species (3/30/2020) (WSLS)Look for the ruby-throated hummingbirds to be with us through the spring and summer, before migrating to Florida, Louisiana and the south Texas coast in September. If you see a ruby-throated hummingbird in southwest Virginia, you can report it to us via email or social media or to Hummingbird Central here.