ROANOKE, Va. – Tuesday was picture-perfect, and much of Wednesday will follow suit.
We start the day with sunshine and end with more clouds ahead of an advancing cluster of storms.
Even still, high temperatures mostly reach 80 to 85°.
Showers and occasional rumbles of thunder move into the area after 8 p.m. Wednesday.
A nearby warm front will then be the catalyst for more showers and thunderstorms Thursday.
Areas near and west of I-77 will need to be alert to the potential for a severe thunderstorm or two in addition to localized flooding (due to repeated rounds of storms).
Therefore, temperatures Thursday will be held down in parts of the New River Valley. As you go northeast of there, highs reach well into the 80s under a partly to mostly cloudy sky.
If you think that’s hot, just wait until Friday. A strong area of high pressure to the south and low pressure to the north will force a gusty, southwest wind into the area.
This means near-record heat for all five of our zones Friday afternoon.
It’s been about nine months since we’ve been this hot, so make sure you’re wearing light-colored and lightweight clothing. Drink plenty of water, seek shade and avoid things like hot cars, hot pavement and playground equipment.
Showers and storms Friday and Saturday will be few and far between, with the number of storms increasing Sunday afternoon and evening.
As you make your plans for the weekend, make sure to check in occasionally with our weather app.