ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — A cold front passes through last night which brought a few showers. Any rain was light and most near and south of US-460 stayed dry. Therefore, the ground conditions are still very dry.
Due to strong winds today coupled with a very dry airmass overhead and dry brush/ground fuels, fire conditions will be elevated to critical. A Red Flag Warning is in effect through the early evening. Any fires that start will be able to rapidly spread. Outdoor burning is highly discouraged.
A Wind Advisory is also in effect for those generally along and to the west of the Blue Ridge into the afternoon. West-northwesterly winds will be sustained around 10-20 mph with gusts up to 35-45 mph at times. Winds will weaken into the night before getting breezy again Monday, although not as strong as today.
High temperatures will be the coolest over the mountains in the 50s with mid-to-upper 60s to the east. A few locations may reach past 70 degrees. Temperatures will quickly drop tonight as overnight lows fall into the 20s and 30s areawide to begin Monday morning.
Monday will be dry as high pressure settles in overhead with cooler high temperatures. Rain returns late Tuesday with a northward lifting warm front as highs warm up again…