Blacksburg, Va. – A wedge of cool air locked against the Blue Ridge is holding temperatures several degrees below normal Sunday, with parts of western Virginia seeing highs only in the upper 70s. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms could develop through the afternoon, mainly west of the mountains.
According to the National Weather Service office in Blacksburg, a weak area of high pressure across the Mid-Atlantic is steering a steady northeasterly breeze into the region. This cool flow is suppressing daytime highs by 5 to 8 degrees, while areas west of the Blue Ridge have the best chance for spotty showers or a brief thunderstorm.
Communities including Roanoke, Christiansburg, and Radford should expect cloud cover to linger, while stretches of Interstates 81 and 77 could see damp roads during the late afternoon. Areas east of the Blue Ridge, such as Lynchburg and Danville, are expected to stay drier but still cooler than average.
Drivers should be prepared for quick downpours and reduced visibility in the higher elevations, especially during the evening commute. Residents are advised to keep rain gear handy and allow extra travel time if storms develop.
The cool, unsettled pattern will hold into early week before temperatures begin trending upward. Additional advisories could be issued if showers persist into Monday.
