A protracted period of wet and increasingly windy weather is forming across much of western and southwestern Virginia, raising fears about localized floods and dangerous travel over the weekend. Rain will begin later today and continue in many rounds, with the most significant impacts likely by Saturday night and Sunday as winds accelerate and rainfall totals accumulate.
According to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, rain will continue over the weekend, with storm totals ranging from about one-half inch to more than one and a half inches in certain areas. Pockets of heavier rain may cause urban floods, rising tiny streams, and isolated flash flooding, particularly in low-lying and poorly drained locations.
Rainfall quantities are forecast to be heaviest in the highlands and foothills, including sections of southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia. Areas surrounding Roanoke, Blacksburg, Wytheville, and Bluefield may have numerous rounds of rain, resulting in water-covered roads. Winds will also become a source of worry, increasing on Saturday and rising further on Sunday, with peak gusts of 40 to 50 mph probable at higher elevations. These winds may blow down tree limbs and cause sporadic power outages.
Residents should avoid driving across flooded roads, secure unsecured outdoor goods, and regularly monitor local circumstances. Rain and wind impacts are predicted to continue into the weekend, with new advisories or warnings issued as conditions change.
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