ROANOKE, Va. – UPDATE - 9 p.m. Saturday, July 29
All clear! The Weather Authority Alert Day has been lifted.
UPDATE - 7 p.m. Saturday, July 29
We are continuing to track severe thunderstorms across parts of our region. Chief Meteorologist Jeff Haniewich will let you know how long they’ll last in the update below.
UPDATE - 5 p.m. Saturday, July 29
A Weather Authority Alert Day remains in effect through mid-to-late Saturday evening. We’re continuing to track strong storms rolling through the region, and high heat.
See the latest updates from Chief Meteorologist Jeff Haniewich in the video below.
UPDATE - 4 p.m. Saturday, July 29
Feel-like temperatures (heat index values) at 4p are over 100 degrees in the Roanoke Valley, Lynchburg, and in the southern Highlands. It has felt over 100 degrees in Southside for much of the afternoon, but right now it feels more like the mid-to-upper 90s. We won’t be as hot on Sunday, with a more pleasant airmass moving in early next week.
A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH has been issued for everyone until 10p or until canceled. Storms late this afternoon and evening could produce heavy rain which could lead to localized flooding, gusty to damaging winds, some hail, and thunder/lightning. Please stay weather aware through mid-to-late evening.
UPDATE: 6:30 AM - Saturday, July 29
Heat index values will reach the triple digits for some of us Saturday. Stay hydrated and limit your time outdoors if you can!
A heat advisory is in effect for the Roanoke Valley, Lynchburg and Southside until 8 p.m. Saturday night.
Severe weather is expected to move into our region in the early afternoon hours Saturday. A level 2/5 threat is in place for all zones, and we all need to be weather aware.
Storm threats Saturday afternoon and evening include damaging winds that could knock out power for some. Large hail and tornados are on the low end for Saturday, though they can’t be completely ruled out. Localized flooding is also a concern as some pockets could bring heavy downpours.
UPDATE: Nighttime - Friday, July 28
UPDATE: Friday, July 28 - 5 p.m.
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for areas in pink (along and west of the Parkway) until 11 p.m.
Threats include heavy rain (localized flooding), thunder/lightning, gusty to damaging wind, and some hail.
When it’s safe to do so, snap pictures/videos and send them our way on Pin It!
UPDATE: Friday, July 28 - 4:30 p.m.
A couple of Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are in effect, and more will likely be issued as the line of storms you see in WV move east at about 35-45 mph. Threats include heavy rain (localized flooding), gusty to damaging wind, hail, and thunder/lightning. Please stay weather aware for the next 3-4 hours.
UPDATE: Friday, July 28 - 3:20 p.m.
Feel-like temperatures (heat index values) are over 100 degrees in Roanoke, Lynchburg, the southern Highlands, and parts of Southside.
UPDATE: Friday, July 28 - 7:15 a.m.
Meteorologist Chris Michaels streamed on our app early Friday morning. You can watch the video in its entirety here.
UPDATE: Friday, July 28 - 3:15 a.m.
A Heat Advisory will be in effect Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the areas shaded in orange below. The heat index will exceed 100°, making it dangerous for those working or playing outside for extended periods of time.
Make sure you’re taking in plenty of water/electrolytes, taking breaks, seeking shade and checking on children/pets/the elderly.
This sort of heat also makes us susceptible to stronger thunderstorms. While those will be isolated after 2 or 3 p.m. Friday, there’s a better chance of stronger thunderstorms in the forecast late Saturday afternoon and evening.
Damaging wind gusts and localized power outages will be the main threats to watch for then.
UPDATE Thursday, July 27 - 9:15 p.m.
UPDATE
A HEAT ADVISORY is in effect on FRIDAY from 11 a.m. through 7 p.m. for areas shaded in orange. This includes the Southside, Lynchburg, and the Roanoke and Shenandoah Valleys. Heat index values (feel-like temperatures) may reach up to 107 Friday afternoon! Please take good care of yourself and your pets...and keep an eye on the elderly.
Thursday, July 27 - 2 p.m.
Heat indices (feel-like temperatures) across the region as of 2 p.m. Thursday:
- Lynchburg - 101°F
- Danville - 100°F
- South Boston - 100°F
- Roanoke - 97°F
- Martinsville - 97°F
- Blacksburg - 92°F
Thursday, July 27 - 5 a.m.
Meteorologist Chris Michaels walks us through the high heat and isolated severe thunderstorm threat in the above video.
Below, you can watch through Thursday morning’s AppCast.
Our team of meteorologists will keep you updated by streaming live to the app, streaming channels, YouTube and Facebook whenever threatening weather is in the forecast.
Wednesday, July 26 - 7 p.m.
Your Local Weather Authority has issued a Weather Authority Alert Day starting at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 27 that will expire at midnight on Saturday, July 29.
Over the next three days, southwest and central Virginia will see the year’s hottest temperatures thus far.
Along with the heat, storms will fire up on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. A few will have the ability to pack a punch and could bring localized flooding and damaging winds.
Peak heat index values (”feels like temperatures”) will reach 90-95°F in the Highlands and the New River Valley. Temperatures will feel like 95-100°F along I-81 and 100-105°F in parts of the Roanoke Valley, Lynchburg, and Southside.
The pattern of daytime heating with high temperatures getting near the triple digits will last until Saturday afternoon. High pressure to our south and west is funneling in winds that are bringing higher humidity and hotter air into our region.
With the addition of low pressure to the north and east, winds at the upper levels are converging along the Ohio Valley. As these systems track toward the east, we will have the potential to see severe weather.
Stay up to date with this most recent alert by downloading our free 10 News and weather apps.
When safe to do so, send pictures of any storms you see to Pin It.