Clear skies over Blacksburg won’t last long — a powerful storm system is moving in fast, and it could make roads across western Virginia dangerous by Tuesday evening.
What’s Coming
The National Weather Service in Blacksburg has confirmed that showers and thunderstorms will push into the region Tuesday afternoon ahead of an approaching cold front. Rainfall will intensify overnight, with the heaviest downpours expected between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday evening.
Mountain areas near Bluefield, Blacksburg, and Boone could see over 1 inch of rain, while the Piedmont region can expect around 0.50 inches.
Roads at Risk
Evening commuters in Roanoke, Lynchburg, and Christiansburg should expect slick roads as rain expands across the area by late Tuesday. By early Wednesday morning, reduced visibility could slow traffic significantly on I-81, I-581, U.S. 220, and Route 460.
Low-lying roads prone to water pooling will be especially dangerous during peak rainfall hours.
Higher Elevations Hit Hardest
Mountain communities may face lingering showers extending into Thursday, making recovery slower for those areas compared to lower elevations.
What You Should Do Now
Officials urge residents to:
- Avoid flood-prone and low-lying roads
- Keep headlights on during heavy rain
- Charge all devices in case of power disruptions
- Monitor local weather alerts closely
Rain is expected to taper off briefly late Thursday — but another round of wet weather is already approaching for the weekend. Additional weather advisories may be issued within the next 12 to 24 hours as the storm system develops…