ROANOKE, Va. – Really cold air continues to move into the region from way up north. Tuesday will feature below-average temperatures for the 13th time this month.
The cold air is not the only thing adding to the chilly feeling in the air. Gusty winds have returned in a big way! The wind chill will have the outdoors feeling like the 10s and 20s all day long.
It will feel even colder later Tuesday night as more arctic air moves in from up north. Most of the New River Valley will feel close to zero degrees with numerous spots chilling down into the negatives.
Why is it so windy? Well, we’ve got a pretty large temperature gradient unfolding across the region, but the jet stream is also howling just offshore. Really high winds at elevated heights in the atmosphere are being pushed down, which then increases the winds closer to the surface.
So, as you head out the door on Tuesday, you may want to add an additional layer to trap in some body heat.
We are tracking the next big thing this upcoming weekend as another front enters the area. At the moment, temperatures are forecast to be in the 30s and 40s, but the mixing of cold air could bring some winter precipitation during the event.
We are keeping a close eye on this upcoming weekend’s weather. To stay up to date on all things weather, download our weather app.