Roanoke, Virginia – Subfreezing temperatures are impacting the Wednesday morning commute across Southwest Virginia, with lows between 26 and 32 degrees before 8 a.m., cold enough for patchy frost in sheltered valleys.
According to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, Wednesday morning readings are running nearly 12 degrees below mid-March averages after Tuesday’s highs stalled in the 30s and 40s. Communities along Interstate 81, including Roanoke, Christiansburg, and Wytheville, are starting the day below freezing before gradual warming by midday.
Road conditions remain dry but cold.
Temperatures will climb into the upper 40s to lower 60s this afternoon under increasing cloud cover. The cold air mass that settled in Tuesday continues to moderate, with a steady warming trend expected through the end of the week.
Clouds thicken Thursday, and a 20% chance of showers develops Friday and Friday night. Highs reach the upper 50s to upper 60s Friday, then push into the 60s and mid-70s Saturday with breezy conditions.
What residents should do now: Protect sensitive plants from early morning frost and allow extra warm-up time for vehicles.
The warming trend holds through Saturday before the next rain chance late Friday into early Saturday. No advisories or warnings are currently in effect.
