Blacksburg, VA – A brisk change sweeps across southwest Virginia today as a fall cold front brings gusty winds, light rain, and a quick drop in temperatures. Showers will develop by afternoon, especially in the higher ridges of the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, before drier, cooler air takes over by Wednesday.
According to the National Weather Service office in Blacksburg, rainfall totals will generally stay below a quarter of an inch, with the highest amounts in southeast West Virginia and northwest North Carolina. Winds will gust between 25 and 35 mph along ridgetops and open valleys through the evening, creating brief travel challenges on I-77 and I-81, especially for high-profile vehicles.
By Wednesday, skies turn mostly sunny with highs ranging from the lower 50s in the mountains to upper 60s east of the Blue Ridge. According to forecasters, the dry stretch will continue into Thursday, but colder overnight temperatures will lead to patchy frost in mountain valleys both Thursday and Friday mornings. Rural areas of Giles, Grayson, and Carroll counties may see readings dipping into the upper 20s.
Drivers and early commuters should prepare for reduced visibility in morning valleys, and residents are urged to protect tender plants and outdoor plumbing. While no widespread freeze warnings are yet in effect, local frost advisories are possible if clear skies persist.
The chill will mark the first widespread frost potential of the season, signaling a firm transition to late-fall conditions across the region.
