Aside from isolated showers, the weekend is shaping up to be breezy and much warmer.

All Illuminights activities will be canceled on Monday, December 18 due to wind advisories.

Strong gusts lead to bitter chill at times Tuesday

A Wind Advisory is in effect until Wednesday morning, since gusts could reach as high as 50 mph along and west of the Parkway. Wind advisory in effect through Wednesday morning, 2/3/2021Given how wet the ground is from recent rain and snow, it’s possible that we see some localized tree damage and/or power outages. Wind chills start in the single digits west of Blacksburg and into Floyd County. Wind chills Wednesday morning, 2/3/2021This is just an appetizer for what we expect early next week. Stay with us for updates regarding Sunday’s snow potential and the potential for Arctic air to reach southwest and central Virginia.

This is when we could see wind gusts of 30-45 mph along the southern half of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Wednesday's wind speed and wind gust forecastThat’s why the National Weather Service in Blacksburg issued a Wind Advisory until 1 p.m. Wednesday (see image at the top of the article). That, in combination with colder air, will make it feel like the 20s and 30s across much of the region. What we're tracking - Friday, 1/22/2021High pressure comes into control of our weather, bringing colder air from the north for the weekend. What we're tracking - Monday, 1/25/2021As colder air comes in on the back edge of this, we could see a wintry mix develop Tuesday morning.

At the same time, however, a cold front will be moving into that air and will trigger a line of rain and storms. Between 6 and 9 p.m., this line will jump the Blue Ridge (see severe outlook at the top of the article) and pick up some steam in the warmer air. FutureTracker - 02/27/2020 at MidnightA Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect for the higher elevations of Grayson, Greenbrier and Pocahontas Counties through midday Thursday. A Wind Advisory goes into effect Wednesday evening for the New River Valley, Roanoke Valley and Highlands. Climate Prediction Center temperature outlook for the first week of March 2020Eventually, a strong cold front will form along the jet stream and produce some storms to our west.

The wind will become an issue Thursday evening into Friday morning, with peak gusts nearing 60 mph in parts of the Roanoke Valley and Highlands. That's where a High Wind Watch has been issued from 6 p.m. Thursday until Noon Friday. It's likely that these alerts get canceled early, as the strongest wind is expected late Thursday night into early Friday morning. These areas are perpendicular to the strong wind and can play a big role on high-topped, high profile vehicles. The wind calms down throughout the day Friday, making for a calm but cool night at high school football games.

ROANOKE, Va. - Following Wednesday's much-needed rain, we're left with a gusty wind and cooler air. Regardless, the wind continues throughout the day especially for areas west of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Beyond 11 a.m., the wind will still be gusty at times. Some patchy frost in rural areas or sheltered valleys can't ruled out, if the wind calms down enough overnight. If it moves farther inland, it would linger a while and produce more rain throughout the day Sunday.