Roanoke, Virginia (WFXR) — Southwest and central Virginia are getting off to an astronomically warm start to summer, with some of the hottest temperatures recorded so far this year expected over the weekend.
Friday morning lows will be in the 60s, with afternoon highs in the upper 80s to mid 90s. Localized showers and storms are possible in the mountains, but rain is unlikely.
When dealing with hot weather, keep these safety tips in mind:
- If you plan to work or exercise outdoors, try to do it in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler.
- Drink plenty of water
- Stay in the shade as much as possible
- Consider wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing
- Do not leave people or pets in a hot car.
Temperatures could reach the upper 80s to 90 degrees Fahrenheit in southwestern and central Virginia on Saturday and Sunday, posing a “significant” risk of heatstroke. People who don’t have effective cooling devices or proper hydration, or who work outdoors, are more likely to suffer from heatstroke.
There may be a few showers or storms on Saturday afternoon, but the rain will be sporadic. Overall, skies will tend to be clear. The same weather will continue on Sunday. A weak front will move through the region in the afternoon and evening, which may result in some showers and storms in some places.
The heat will continue into next week. There will be a chance for localized showers and storms on Monday, with afternoon highs in the upper 80s to low 90s F. Tuesday will be mostly sunny with temperatures warming into the 90s F and little to no precipitation.
Heat isn’t the only issue in the forecast. A recent lack of rain has caused abnormally dry conditions across the region. Moderate drought conditions extend into central Virginia, the Roanoke Valley and the Allegheny Plateau. The combination of low precipitation and unseasonably high temperatures could result in flash drought conditions over the coming days.
