Pinpoint Weather: Mostly dry Thursday, late-week rain

ROANOKE, Va. ( WFXR ) — Mostly dry weather is expected across Southwest and Central Virginia on Thursday as high pressure lingers. However, increasing rain chances are anticipated to end the week.

Thursday will be similar to Wednesday. Patchy fog is possible for the morning commute. Otherwise, mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies will be overhead for the day with afternoon temperatures rising into the seasonably warm 80s. Stray rain showers are possible.

High pressure will exit the region on Friday while an area of low pressure approaches from the west. Scattered showers and storms are possible for the end of the work week with periods of heavy rainfall possible. Not everyone will see rain on Friday but some storms may pack a punch. Highs will be in the lower and middle 80s.

A cold front associated with the low-pressure system will move through Southwest and Central Virginia over the weekend. Showers and storms are possible on Saturday and Sunday. It won’t be a complete washout for weekend plans, but stay weather-aware. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms may develop. Highs will be in the 80s with muggy air in place.

A few showers and storms may linger into Monday. Drier weather is expected by the middle of the upcoming week.

TRACKING THE TROPICS

As of Thursday morning, Ernesto remains a category-one hurricane with winds of 85 mph. The storm is expected to strengthen over the next several days, possibly becoming a major hurricane by Friday. A Hurricane Warning has been issued for Bermuda.

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