Virginia’s Blue Ridge region starts calm this morning, but the quiet will not last long. Storm clouds building to the west are expected to sweep toward the mountains later today.
Warm air and increasing moisture will fuel strong thunderstorms across southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia this afternoon. Conditions could change rapidly across the mountain corridor.
According to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, severe storms may begin developing after 2 p.m., continuing through the evening and into the overnight hours as a cold front approaches.
The primary hazard will be damaging wind gusts exceeding 60 mph. Storms could also produce quarter-size hail and a few isolated tornadoes, particularly along and west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Drivers traveling along Interstate 81, U.S. Route 460, and the I-77 corridor should remain alert later today. Sudden wind gusts and intense rain may quickly reduce visibility on mountain roads.
Cities including Roanoke, Blacksburg, Wytheville, Bluefield, and Lewisburg sit within the zone where stronger storms could develop.
Heavy rainfall may also trigger isolated flash flooding, especially across western Virginia and the mountains of southern West Virginia where drainage areas fill quickly during intense downpours.
Residents should secure outdoor items and monitor weather alerts through the afternoon. Lightning and sudden wind bursts could develop quickly as storms move east.
Behind the front, cooler air spreads into the region Thursday morning with gusty winds and falling temperatures.
The weather calms briefly before spring warmth gradually returns toward the weekend, as the region approaches the official first day of spring on March 20.
Are you seeing dark clouds building near the mountains today? Tell us what conditions look like where you are.
