Blacksburg, Virginia – Rain will expand across southwest Virginia today as a warm front lifts north, bringing widespread wet roads and reduced visibility along I-81, U.S. 460, U.S. 11 and Route 221. The highest rain probabilities stretch across the New River Valley through early afternoon, with several locations showing 80–92% chances of showers before coverage eases later in the day.
According to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, the initial band of rain will continue through this morning, especially east of the Blue Ridge and along Highway 460. A brief lull may occur tonight before a cold front arrives Friday morning, triggering another round of showers with 65–77% coverage across the foothills and the Piedmont.
Communities near Roanoke, Christiansburg, Radford and Floyd should prepare for extended periods of damp pavement and patchy fog, particularly where terrain funnels moisture into valleys. Rain may linger north of Lexington early this evening as the warm boundary stabilizes overhead. Drivers along I-81 should watch for pooling in low spots and slower traffic during heavier bursts.
Friday morning’s cold-front passage will push steady rain east toward Lynchburg and South Boston around sunrise, with improvement gradually spreading from the mountains by midday. Afternoon highs Friday remain in the 40s, with cooler air sliding in behind the frontal passage.
While no flooding issues are expected, the combination of saturated soil and persistent showers could create muddy shoulders and reduced grip on rural routes. Transportation crews recommend giving extra space between vehicles and reducing speed when traveling through higher terrain where visibility drops fastest.
Additional updates will be issued if Friday’s rainfall period expands or if fog redevelops overnight.
