Virginia starts the morning with clearing skies over the New River Valley, where damp ground and cool air still linger. Sunshine builds by midday, but a sharper change is already lining up after sunset.
According to the National Weather Service, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, and Salem will stay mostly dry today with highs near 68°F before a slight 20% chance of light rain develops late. The main shift begins after sunset, with temperatures dropping quickly toward 35°F.
The primary impact window runs from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m., when patchy frost is likely to form in valleys and rural areas. Cold air settles fastest in low-lying spots, including creek beds and open fields near Montgomery County. Drivers along Route 460 and I-81 could encounter isolated slick patches where moisture refreezes on bridges and shaded roadways.
This is part of a broader system bringing below-average temperatures across the eastern U.S., increasing frost concerns despite the calendar turning to May.
Sensitive plants and early gardens face damage risk, especially outside urban centers where temperatures drop fastest. Light winds and clearing skies will enhance frost formation, allowing surfaces to cool rapidly before sunrise.
Saturday stays cool with highs near 58°F and only a slight rain chance, but the chilly pattern continues into early Sunday with another round of patchy frost possible before 7 a.m. Conditions improve Sunday afternoon with sunshine and a rebound into the low 60s.
Looking ahead, a steady warm-up builds into early next week, with highs climbing into the 70s by Monday and mid-70s Tuesday, signaling a stronger push toward spring.
Prepare for cold early morning conditions, protect outdoor plants tonight, and watch for isolated slick spots between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. as temperatures dip near freezing across Blacksburg.
