Blacksburg, Virginia – Drivers along US-460 and I-81 should prepare for wet pavement and reduced visibility later today as a warm front lifts north, bringing scattered rain and launching a rapid climb toward 70- to 80-degree highs by Friday afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, a warm front moving through Tuesday will trigger additional showers, with rain chances lingering into Wednesday and Thursday, especially north of US-460. While rainfall amounts remain light overall, passing showers could create slick stretches during the evening commute.
High temperatures will push into the 60s and low 70s Wednesday, then surge deeper into the 70s Thursday. By Friday afternoon, parts of southwest Virginia, including Roanoke and Christiansburg, could approach the upper 70s to near 80 degrees. That warming trend increases instability and keeps scattered showers in the forecast, particularly Friday afternoon.
Motorists on I-81 from Wytheville to Salem should watch for changing conditions as brief rain bands move through. Wet roads combined with heavier traffic could slow travel during peak hours. Ponding is possible in low-lying areas if showers repeatedly track over the same corridor.
North of US-460, including Giles and Montgomery counties, rain coverage may be slightly higher midweek as the boundary stalls nearby. However, no widespread flooding or severe weather is expected at this time.
Residents should keep rain gear handy and monitor updated forecasts as temperatures continue climbing. Additional advisories could be issued later this week if rainfall becomes more widespread or thunderstorms develop heading into Friday.
