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WEATHER ALERT

BEYOND THE FORECAST

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Look up! First of four consecutive supermoons rises tonight

Read full article: Look up! First of four consecutive supermoons rises tonight

We’re talking space today as there will be a reason to look up into the night sky tonight. While the moon was technically 100% full on Sunday, it will still look plenty full and big in the night sky tonight. Take advantage of clear skies tonight, because it will be tougher to view the supermoon tomorrow night and Wednesday night. If you miss the moon tonight, it will be full again on April 26, May 26 and June 24. AdIf you happen to catch a pretty picture of the supermoon tonight, feel free to share with us!

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Beyond The Forecast: Planets to see in the early days of 2021

Read full article: Beyond The Forecast: Planets to see in the early days of 2021

If you like to stargaze, we’re pleased to report that the skies will be busy for you over the next week! Early forecasts call for clear skies on these evenings but make sure you check back for updates on the expected cloud cover. This will require an early wake-up call as the planet’s visit with the near-new moon will happen before dawn next Monday. Again, check the forecast Sunday night before you go to bed to make sure clouds won’t obscure your view. Switching gears to your forecast, there’s not a whole lot going on in the weather world this week up until Friday.

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Beyond The Forecast: 2020 was the wettest year on record in Lynchburg and Roanoke

Read full article: Beyond The Forecast: 2020 was the wettest year on record in Lynchburg and Roanoke

We here at Your Local Weather Authority have been busy this year, tracking numerous heavy rain (1″ or more) events that have impacted Southwest and Central Virginia. There were 23 such days in Lynchburg, 20 in Roanoke and 19 in Blacksburg and Danville. Warmer air can hold more water vapor, which eventually condenses and falls from the sky as heavy rain. Roanoke’s wettest day of the year happened back in May, when a cut-off low sent heavy rain and record flooding into the Star City. Last Thursday’s front provided enough rain to push Roanoke to its wettest year on record!

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Beyond The Forecast: This November will be warmer and drier than normal in SW and Central VA

Read full article: Beyond The Forecast: This November will be warmer and drier than normal in SW and Central VA

Despite the chilly air we’re contending with to start the week, Your Local Weather Authority is projecting a warmer than normal November overall. It also appears we’ll be drier than normal, which is bad news for any snow lovers out there hoping for some early season white stuff. To start, you need to know what “normal” is in our area during the eleventh month of the year. We feel comfortable saying it’s unlikely that the Roanoke Valley, Lynchburg and Southside will see measurable snow this November. You can always get specific forecast details for your zone, whether it’s the Roanoke Valley, Lynchburg area, Southside or elsewhere around Southwest and Central Virginia, anytime at WSLS.com/weather.

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Beyond The Forecast: How a hurricane could have prevented 9/11

Read full article: Beyond The Forecast: How a hurricane could have prevented 9/11

Welcome to another edition of our weekly WSLS weather newsletter! Did you know there was a hurricane just off the coast of the United States that could have changed everything? It strengthened to tropical storm status the next day and eventually became a hurricane on Sep. 9. The visible satellite image from that day shows the hurricane as well as the smoke from the plane-struck Twin Towers. Switching gears to our forecast in Southwest and Central Virginia, we expect to get not one, but TWO tastes of fall this week.

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Beyond The Forecast: Looking ahead to July, our hottest month of the year

Read full article: Beyond The Forecast: Looking ahead to July, our hottest month of the year

A cool stretch from June 15-17 really drags the average temperature down for the month. (WSLS)July begins Wednesday and its typically the hottest month of the year in Southwest Virginia. Our average high in Roanoke throughout the month is 87 degrees, while the average low fluctuates between 66 and 67. (WSLS)We typically get about 4 inches of rain each July, but look for showers and storms to be a bit more numerous in the month ahead. You can always get specific forecast details for your zone, whether its the Roanoke Valley, New River Valley, Highlands, or elsewhere around southwest and central Virginia, anytime at WSLS.com/weather.